Spring Yard Cleanup Checklist for Fort Bend County

When winter fades and the first heat waves of spring roll in, lawns across Fort Bend County wake up — and they don’t wait politely.

Grass takes off. Weeds creep in. Dead branches from winter storms litter the ground, and garden beds that once looked tidy start showing signs of neglect. If you don’t jump in early, the mess can multiply fast — and catching up later often means more time, effort, and cost.

Spring is your best opportunity to reset your lawn and landscaping for a healthy, attractive season ahead — and a proper cleanup in March or April can set the tone for the entire year.

At Fort Bend Home & Lawn Services, I help local homeowners tackle seasonal yard work with efficiency and care. Whether you want to handle it yourself or call me in to do the heavy lifting, here’s a comprehensive checklist to guide your spring yard reset.

1. Remove Debris and Dead Growth

Start by clearing away what winter left behind — fallen branches, dead plants, piles of leaves, and any wind-blown trash or clutter that’s collected near fences or garden beds.

This first step improves curb appeal instantly and gives grass and plants access to sunlight and air, which helps prevent mold and rot.

Recommended tools:

Fiskars Kangaroo Collapsible Garden Bag – A lightweight, reusable container for gathering debris
Fiskars PowerGear2 Pruner – For trimming dead plant material and thin limbs
Ironclad General Utility Gloves – Durable gloves with reinforced palms for thorny or splintered debris

If you’re short on time or don’t have a green bin, I offer yard debris collection and haul-away services as part of my Spring Cleanup Package.

2. Trim Shrubs and Low-Hanging Branches

Spring is the right time to shape shrubs, prune frost-damaged limbs, and remove low-hanging branches that interfere with mowing or walking paths. Clean cuts help plants heal quickly, and early trimming promotes healthy regrowth.

If limbs are small enough to remove without power tools, a good set of loppers or a manual pruning saw can get the job done. But if you’re dealing with overgrown hedges or dead branches near eye level, it may be best to bring in help.

I handle selective pruning and limb removal up to 8 feet off the ground — perfect for privacy hedges, shade trees, and overgrown ornamentals.

3. Edge Beds and Define Borders

Clean, sharp edges between lawn and garden beds make a massive difference in your yard’s appearance — and they help keep grass from creeping into mulched areas.

Use a flat-edged shovel or edging tool to cut a crisp line around flower beds, walkways, and fence lines. If the line is already there from last season, just a light touch-up will do.

Helpful tool: AMES Saw-Tooth Border Edger — easy to use and more precise than a spade

Need a hand reshaping your flower beds or removing overgrowth from the base of fences? I include edge work in all Spring Cleanup Packages.

4. Weed Beds and Hard Surfaces

Left unchecked, weeds explode in spring. Focus on pulling them early from:

Flower beds
Around AC units and utility boxes
Sidewalk and driveway cracks
Rock or mulch areas

The earlier you catch them, the less established their roots — and the easier they are to remove.

Recommended solution: Ortho GroundClear Weed & Grass Killer – Great for patios, driveways, and fence lines (but not in beds with desired plants)

5. Refresh Mulch or Decorative Rock

DIY-only tip – Not a service I provide

Even though this falls outside the scope of my services, it’s a great DIY step if you want to boost curb appeal and retain soil moisture heading into summer. After clearing out old debris and trimming back plants, a fresh layer of mulch or stone can instantly make your landscape look maintained and intentional.

For best results:

Add 1–2 inches of new mulch, keeping it 2–3 inches away from tree trunks and stems
If using decorative gravel, rake it smooth and top off sparse areas
Use edging to contain material and reduce cleanup during mowing

6. Mow, Edge, and Blow

This is where the yard finally comes together.

Your first spring mow should be slightly lower than usual — a practice called “scalping” — which helps remove dormant grass and thatch while allowing sunlight to reach the soil. Once the first mow is done, raise the deck back up to your standard mowing height to encourage deeper roots and thicker turf.

I also recommend edging along:

Driveways
Sidewalks
Curbs
Flower bed edges

Finish with a blower to clear clippings and dust from hard surfaces.

I offer professional mowing, edging, and blowing services with flexible options: weekly, bi-weekly, or one-time cleanup. If you’re not ready to commit to regular maintenance, my Spring Cleanup visit is the perfect reset.

7. Final Walkthrough and Inspection

Once everything looks tidy, walk the property slowly and make note of:

Fence pickets or gate latches that need repair
Drainage issues or pooling water
Damaged sprinkler heads
Mailboxes that lean or wobble
Doors, gates, or trim that may need attention

This is a great time to identify non-landscaping maintenance issues you may have overlooked during winter.

I can assist with minor fence repairs, gate adjustments, mailbox resets, and hardware fixes — ask about bundling Spring Cleanup with basic home maintenance during your service visit.

Ready for a Clean Start? Let Me Handle the Heavy Lifting

A proper spring cleanup sets the tone for the entire season. It’s not just about appearances — it’s about giving your yard room to breathe, your home a fresh edge, and your weekends back.

If the idea of spending hours in the heat raking, hauling, and trimming doesn’t sound like time well spent, I’ve got you covered.

At Fort Bend Home & Lawn Services, my Spring Cleanup Package includes:

Yard debris cleanup (leaves, limbs, and windblown clutter)
Trimming of low-hanging limbs and overgrowth
Edging along sidewalks, driveways, and curbs
Professional mowing, edging, and blowing
Final walkthrough with optional minor home maintenance add-ons

I serve homeowners throughout Needville, Rosenberg, Richmond, and surrounding Fort Bend County with honest work, flexible scheduling, and fair pricing.

Here’s how to get started:

Visit my Contact Page
Let me know your yard size and cleanup needs
I’ll respond quickly with a quote and available service dates
Sit back and enjoy a cleaner, healthier outdoor space — without lifting a rake

Your yard’s not going to clean itself. But I will.