With the 40-degree temps in Minnesota right now, I have spring on my mind and I am starting to write my spring clean checklist with projects I will prioritize. And since it’s been so cold out, we’ve been hibernating in our home as much as we can and have some major spring fever!
Even though it feels like spring is forever away, now that February is over, it’s right around the corner.
Once spring does hit and if you’re like us, you quickly feel like there are a million things to do. We thought we’d put a post together to help you prioritize because maybe you can even get a few things checked off now.
1. Spring Clean Checklist: Declutter
I don’t know about you, but anytime I wake up in less clutter, I start my day off better.
This is something we’ve been starting to do now in the cold winter months. Room by room, and weekend by weekend, we’ve been getting rid of everything that we know we haven’t used or worn since last year.
I’ve been packing it up in garbage bags and putting it into a section in the garage. Once spring hits, I’ll either have a rummage sale, or I’ll drive it over to the second-hand store to donate.
By starting slowly throughout the winter months, you’ll be less stressed once spring hits and you’re ready to get rid of everything. Putting things in the garage for a bit also helps when packing things up.
Sometimes I find myself like, well, do I really want to get rid of this? Then I say, well, if I want it back, it’ll just be in the garage. And I guarantee, I won’t miss it.
2. Start Thinking About Greenery
If you’re a gardener or a plant enthusiast, creeping into spring, you should start thinking about the greenery you want to grow in your home or garden. You’ll want to plant any herbs or vegetables inside before spring hits; that way, once there is no sign of frost, your garden will be well on its way and ready to be transferred into the ground.
I’ve made the mistake of not planting my garden early enough, and then you have to wait twice as long to start eating your herbs, fruits, and vegetables while everyone else is enjoying theirs.
3. Get Your Garden Ready
As spring arrives, don’t forget to add your garden to your spring clean checklist. It’s the perfect time to plan your garden and prepare to move your indoor plants and seedlings outside.
This might mean something as simple as clearing it out or a little bit more work and like building out your garden box.
4. Clear Planter Beds
First thing I like to do in the spring is clean up my garden beds and shrubs from last year. With everything so wet, it’s easy just to grab and pull the old stuff right out. Once everything is dried up, is when you have to cut. Most plants start growing back fast, so it’s never any fun to have to cut around the new to get rid of the dead and old. As soon as it’s warm enough get out there and grab and pull out all of the old and you’ll be done cleaning up your garden areas in no time.
5. Lawn Care
While I focus on the care of our gardens and beds, Jamie focuses on our lawn. He wants to get the leaves cleaned out so our little dudes can get their motocross bikes out as fast as they can! Ha!
Each fall and spring we aerate our lawn. Typically this only needs to be done in the fall, but if you have compacted soil like us, it’s good to do it in the spring too.
Spring is the best time to prevent weeds from springing. Immediately spray for weeds once the snow melts. Before us doing this, as soon as our grass started growing back in, it was literally covered in dandelions.
If you don’t rake up your leaves in the fall, this is something else you’ll want to get done right away before all the wet weighted leaves kill your grass.
6. Roofing
If you need some roof repairs, I always say you can tackle this project right away since roofers pretty much work year around and with the industry the way it is, they book up fast! You’ll want to get on their schedule right away and take care of this project. You can always call my brother Noah, he works for Bison Builders and he will inspect your roof FOR FREE!
7. Siding
Same goes with siding; those guys book up fast! If you want to get your siding replaced this year, I’d call Bison Builders and get on their schedule right away. Roofing and siding are some of the best ways to add some good curb appeal and value to your home.
Or even if you’re DIY’ing and simply just painting, you’ll want to start early but maybe not too soon. Like decks, you’ll want to make sure your wood is dry. We always recommend scraping when it’s late spring and then once you have a dry spell, get after it!
8. Decks
Decks are usually high on the priority list for most homeowners. We don’t put this high on the spring clean checklist because you never want to stain a deck when it’s wet. You need to make sure your deck is really well dried out before you start stripping it down and staining it back up.
However, if you are looking to hire it out and are doing a composite, which we always recommend, you’ll want to get on your contractor’s schedule.
9. Windows
Windows are another great project to add to your spring clean checklist! It’s important to wait until the weather warms up before creating any holes in your home.
If your windows are rotted or outdated, the spring and summer are the perfect time to get them all replaced. While replacing windows can be expensive and often falls low on the priority list, it’s a worthwhile investment.
New windows reduce drafts, improve energy efficiency for both heating and cooling, and boost your home’s resale value and curb appeal. Since many windows come with long guarantees (depending on the supplier), tackling one floor of your home each year can help manage the cost. Be sure to add this to your spring clean checklist for a smarter, more efficient home!
10. Additions & Interior Remodeling
Additions, sunrooms, kitchen remodels, and more are all great things to add to your spring clean checklist and start thinking about come spring. With the high demand in good trade right now, you’ll want to get on their schedules.
If you’re just now thinking about these projects, come spring, they might already be booked out until the fall.
But come spring, it’s good to do your research and get on a contractor’s schedule for later in the fall and start preparing, designing, and budgeting now for your project later this year.
The best thing about getting interior remodeling planned out for construction in the summer or fall is that the crews can work outside. And while you might not have a kitchen, you can eat outside!
Even though these projects can easily be done in the cold months, as in the spring, summer, and fall, you’ll just be enjoying more time outside instead of inside, so that you really don’t mind any of the construction going on.
