Spring Landscaping Checklist for New Tennessee Homeowners

Spring in Middle Tennessee typically arrives in March and accelerates quickly through April. The transition from winter dormancy to active growth happens fast, and the work you do in this window sets the tone for your landscape's performance all year.

1. Assessment Before Action

Before you buy a single plant or bag of mulch, walk your entire property and document what you see. Which plants didn't make it through winter? Where is the lawn thin or bare? Are there any erosion areas or drainage issues that appeared after winter rains? Starting with a clear picture prevents wasted effort and money.

2. Clean Up Winter Debris

Remove fallen branches, dead plant material left from fall, leaves that accumulated over winter, and any mulch that has decomposed completely. Clean garden beds down to the soil surface before adding fresh material.

3. Edge Your Beds

Spring is the perfect time to redefine bed edges before new growth emerges. Clean, crisp bed edges make the entire landscape look more intentional and professional. Use a half-moon edger or spade to cut a clean vertical edge.

4. Apply Pre-Emergent Herbicide

Timing is critical. Pre-emergent herbicide — we use Preen — needs to be applied before soil temperatures reach 55°F, which is when crabgrass and other weed seeds begin germinating. In Middle Tennessee, this typically means treating in mid-March. Once weeds have sprouted, pre-emergent is ineffective.

5. Add Fresh Mulch

Apply 2–3 inches of fresh mulch to all garden beds after your pre-emergent application. Mulch retains soil moisture, moderates temperature, and suppresses weeds. Don't pile it against plant stems or tree trunks — leave a few inches of breathing room around the base of all plants.

6. Assess and Prune Shrubs

Most spring-flowering shrubs (azaleas, forsythia, viburnums) should be pruned immediately after they finish blooming — pruning before bloom removes this season's flowers. Summer-flowering shrubs can be pruned in early spring before growth begins.

7. Fertilize Strategically

Wait until you see 50% green-up on your lawn before fertilizing turf — applying too early on dormant grass wastes product. Garden beds and shrubs can receive a slow-release fertilizer in early spring as growth begins.

8. Check Your Irrigation System

Before hot weather arrives, test your irrigation system zone by zone. Check for clogged heads, broken rotors, and proper coverage. Adjust controller programming from the winter off-season schedule to an active-season watering program.

If you'd like professional help with your spring landscape cleanup, Lebanon Scapes & Construction offers seasonal clean-up packages for homeowners throughout Middle Tennessee.