Spring brings warmer weather, light rain showers, and lots of flowers. Below are ways to get ready for spring.
- Spring-Cleaning—wait don’t stop reading. Spring cleaning does a few good things. After being cooped up indoors all winter there are bound to be things your children have left for you in some unusual places and it is better that you find it rather than the bugs. Spring also brings pollen and other allergens in so it’s best to clean out dust that’s collected in drawers and shelves. It is also a nice workout.
- Go room by room straightening and cleaning. Enlist the entire family, this is not only practical but it can be fun too. Depending on the size of your home this will take a week or two doing just one room a day.
- Dig though closets, chest and drawers. Do these four things: throw away broken things; make a pile of unused things to giveaway; make a pile of things that need repair; and make of list of things you need to replace.
- Put away heavy blankets, winter decorations and reduce clutter on shelves.
- Wash out and dust the interior of your interior, bookshelves, books, closet floors, etc. Wash any dirty spots off you find on the walls.
- In the kitchen, throw out canned goods you’ve had more than two years.
- Clean out your fireplace.
- Spackle any holes and touch up any marks on the walls with paint.
- Get out the WD-40 and spray the sliding glass door, screen sliders, and creaky doors.
- Check and replace your air filter.
- Wash the windows and screens.
- Repair the things in your repair pile; take the giveaway pile to the Goodwill; and purchase the things on your “need” list. If the repair pile doesn't get repaired within two weeks - throw it away.
- If needed, desired or if you have allergy problems clean the carpet.
- When the weather is nice, clean out your garage, you may want to wear a mask when sweeping this out!
- Computer Maintenance
- Backup your system.
- Get the dust out of the interior of your hard drive and clean your keyboard.
- Indoor Decor: You’ve done a lot if you’ve eliminated the clutter in your house already. Now:
- Bring in fresh flowers and place in clear glass or white porcelain vases.
- Bring in pastel colors in slipcovers and throw pillows. Don’t like pastel? Take your cue from spring flowers, bright yellow daffodil, deep purple pansies, sky blue, etc.
- Drape a floral throw across the arm of your sofa.
- Place a bowl of lemons on the table.
- Table linens should also reflect spring either a floral pattern or white lace. White lace anywhere this season is a perfect accent.
- Spring dish towels are a great pick-me up too.
- Place some potted flowering plants such as hydrangeas in front of your fireplace.
- Put out seasonal coasters.
- Making an Entrance:
- Place potted pansies, daffodils or tulips on your porch.
- Create a wreath with silk hydrangeas and small fake birds.
- In the Garden:
- Spring clean in the garden: that means weeding.
- Dump out any standing water-it is a breeding haven for mosquitoes.
- Start an herb garden. These do well in pots.
- Begin lightly watering on a regular basis again.
- This is planting season for trees, shrubs, roses, strawberries and perennials.
- Deadhead larger bulbs such as tulips, narcissus, and hyacinths. Be sure not to cut the foliage.
- Start checking for aphids, spider mites and other icky insects as soon as leaves start to appear on shrubs and trees. – Take care of them as needed.
- Once spring-flowering trees and shrubs begin to blooms add fertilizer. Don’t fertilize before that or you will not get as many flowers.
- After the last chance of frost, (around mid April) start planting hardier annuals.
- Vegetables to plant include: beans, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chard, corn, endive, chicory, leeks, lettuce, onions, peas and potatoes.
- When May rolls around:
- Fertilize and spray roses for insects and diseases.
- Mulch flower beds, shrubs and trees with a fresh cover.
- In late May, when the soil temperature is warm begin planting your summer blooming bulbs like as Caladiums, Gladiolus, Daylilies and Dahlias.
- Begin to water plants deep and slowly several times a week.
- Vegetables to plant include: cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, pumpkins, squash and tomatoes.
- Car Care:
- Clean out the trunk and check in and under the seats.
- Wash it including the underbody (to wash away any salt).
- Apply a protectant to any vinyl area on your car.
- Get a tune up if necessary, check your owners manual.
- Change oil, check fluids, check tire pressure, check brakes, replace worn out wiper blades, remove winter tires / rotate all season tires.
- Pet Care:
- It is puppy and kitten season, be sure to get a full work-up from a vet whenever you get a new puppy or kitchen.
- Start and keep your puppy and kitten on heartworm prevention medicine, a monthly tablet can protect your pet from a mosquito-carried disease that can kill.
- Take care of fleas and ticks, either with a collar or drops.
- If you haven't neutered your pet be sure to keep them indoors and consider having it done.
- There is still rain showers so make sure your pet can seek shelter outdoors.
- Be sure to add fresh water everyday.
- Brush your pet often, as they will begin to shed their winter coats.
- Since you will be spending more time outdoors be sure their tags and vaccinations are up to date.
- Always clean up after your dogs on walks.
- Personal Care:
- Wear lighter fabrics and colored garments.
- Pick up a few Spring accessories like a hat, brooch or scarf.
- Start taking family walks.
- Start applying sunscreen daily.
- Begin eating lighter foods and enjoy spring fruits and vegetables.
Spring Activities:
- Go fly a kite!
- Take a trip to the local botanical gardens.
- Go berry picking.
- Learns about butterflies and frogs.
- Learn about whale migration.
- Discuss the phrase with your children "April Showers Bring May Flowers".
- Get a new spring desktop images.
Spring Holidays: Ostara/Eostar/Spring Equinox
, April Fools' Day
, Sakura Matsuri
, Tulip Festival
, Easter, Passover
, Earth Day
, ANZAC Day, May Day
, Lei Day, Remembrance Day, Cinco de Mayo
, Mothers' Day
, Memorial Day.
