Spring Prep Ideas

by American Homes and Gardens^®

Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning is really a year round task. For many of us, Spring is a season of multiple projects around the home. And with any project, planning helps to make the project easier to complete. Planning can also save you time and money.

Garden Tool Maintenance

Now is a good time to make sure your lawn mower, trimmers, and edgers are in good working condition. Dull lawn mower blades can damage your lawn, which makes it vulnerable to disease and insects. Visit our Home and Garden Section for additional resources. The video, Preparing Garden Tools For Spring, contributed by the National Gardening Association, provides safety tips and a step-by-step demonstration how to remove, sharpen, and replace lawn mower blades. Simple maintenance can preserve the life of your lawn and garden tools.

Spraying For Insects

Spraying around the home to build a barrier and reduce insect populations is an important part of Spring prep. It's bad enough that mosquitoes bite, now they carry the West Nile and Zika viruses. In addition to spraying, try to eliminate standing water, which is where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Cover or eliminate items around the yard that collect water, such as garden pots and buckets. Ponds can be treated for mosquito breeding. Frequently change the water in bird baths and pet bowls. Cleaning gutters is another Spring project that can help to reduce the mosquito population around the home.

Ortho Home Defense Max can be sprayed on both the interior and exterior perimeter of the home to protect against ants, mosquitoes, spiders, fleas, and several other pests. Please read the product warning labels carefully when using any insect killer.

A Healthy Lawn

A well cared for lawn will be healthy and thrive! It begins with a sharp lawn mower blade set at the proper cutting level, fertilizer, and proper watering. Spraying for insects also helps to protect your lawn. Please visit our Garden Section and read the short article, Three Steps to a Beautiful Lawn, written by English Gardens, for specific fertilizing and watering information and schedules. Our Home and Garden Section will be updated regularly this year.

c2017 American Homes and Gardens^® Spring Countdown! Spring Prep Ideas