Spring is the season of renewal, and that includes your yard. After months of cold weather, your landscape likely needs some attention to get back into shape for outdoor enjoyment. But should you tackle the work yourself or hire a professional? The right choice depends on the scope of the cleanup and your long-term vision for your outdoor space. Here’s how to think through the decision.
Easy DIY Tasks
If you generally enjoy working in the yard at your own pace, spring cleanup can be a satisfying way to refresh your landscape and prepare for the warmer months ahead. Clearing out leaves, branches, and other winter debris will usually be a great place to start. A rake, leaf blower, or even a simple pair of gloves can make quick work of dead leaves and plant matter that accumulated over the colder months. Trimming back perennials and ornamental grasses helps encourage healthy new growth, and edging garden beds can instantly make your yard look more polished.
Basic lawn care is another manageable DIY project. Raking up dead grass, applying a pre-emergent weed control, and overseeding patchy areas can help set your lawn up for success. If you have flower beds, turning the soil and adding fresh mulch is a simple way to refresh the look of your landscape while helping retain moisture and suppress weeds.
While these tasks are fairly straightforward, they do require time and physical effort. If your weekends are already packed—or if you simply don’t want to spend your free time hauling debris and trimming plants—it may be worth considering professional help.
Local Landscapers
Even for those who enjoy yard work, a full spring cleanup can be a major undertaking. Local landscapers can complete routine cleanup tasks much more quickly than the average homeowner, thanks to their experience and equipment. They’ll clear away leaves and debris, prune trees and shrubs, refresh garden beds, and even handle the first mow of the season. Many also offer additional services like fertilization, weed control, and aeration to give your lawn a stronger start for spring. However, they typically don’t specialize in large projects.
Landscape Design
Spring cleanup is a great way to refresh your yard, but if you’re thinking beyond basic maintenance, it may be time to consider professional landscape design. A landscape architect like High Tech Landscapes can help you turn your outdoor space into something truly special.
Whether you want a custom patio, an improved layout for entertaining, or better outdoor lighting, we’re all about the big picture. Another key benefit of working with a landscape architect is long-term planning. Instead of adding new elements piece by piece, a master plan allows for a cohesive vision that evolves over time. Maybe you start with a patio this year and expand with a fire pit or seating wall down the line. By thinking strategically from the outset, you can invest in improvements that complement each other.
Making the Most of Your Budget
A spring cleanup may seem simple, but costs can add up if you don’t approach it strategically. The key is deciding where to invest your time and money wisely.
For those with smaller yards or an interest in DIY, handling the basics yourself can be a cost-effective approach. A few hours of effort can get your space looking neat and refreshed. But for those with larger properties or limited availability, professional cleanup services can save time and hassle.
If you’re considering a larger project this season, don’t spend time or money on a temporary cleanup only to redo everything later. A spring cleanup is the first step toward enjoying your yard in the warmer months, but if your vision goes beyond seasonal maintenance, consider investing in a plan that works for the long term.
At High Tech Landscapes, we help homeowners create outdoor spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful. We offer comprehensive landscape design that includes cleanup as part of the initial process if needed. Contact us today to explore how a professional landscape design can turn your yard into the perfect retreat.
