Winter leaves a mess: matted leaves, broken branches, salt damage, and tired beds. A thorough spring cleanup clears all of it and wakes the property up. Work through this checklist in order for the best results.
1. Clear winter debris
Pick up fallen branches, blow out leftover leaves from beds and corners, and clear anything blown in over winter. Matted leaves left on the lawn block light and cause dead patches and snow mold.
2. Cut back perennials and ornamental grasses
Trim last year's dead growth on perennials and cut ornamental grasses back to a few inches before new growth takes off. Prune winter-damaged or dead branches on shrubs.
3. Dethatch and assess the lawn
Rake out matted thatch so air and water reach the soil, and note any bare or thin spots that need seeding. This is also the moment to spot snow-mold or vole damage.
4. Edge and prep the beds
Re-cut clean bed edges and pull early weeds before they establish. Crisp edges are what make a property look professionally maintained.
5. First mow (a little lower)
The first mow of the season can be slightly lower to clean things up and remove dead tips — then raise the deck back to 3–3.5 inches for the rest of spring.
6. Mulch the beds
Once cleanup is done and the soil has warmed, lay 2–3 inches of fresh mulch to lock in moisture, block weeds, and finish the look. (See our Connecticut mulch guide for amounts and timing.)
7. Plan repairs and plantings
Spring is the time to overseed thin areas, plan new plantings, and address drainage or damage before summer. Getting ahead now pays off all season.
When should spring cleanup happen?
In Fairfield County, aim for late March through April, once the ground has thawed and dried enough to work without compacting wet soil. Booking early matters — crews fill up fast in spring.
Don't want to spend your weekends on it? Our spring and fall cleanup service handles the whole list across Fairfield, Norwalk, Wilton, and beyond.