Spring Gardening Cleanup Guide

 
Spring garden clean-up is essential for your garden’s health. Clearing debris, trimming plants, and refreshing your soil set the stage for stronger, more resilient plants and a vibrant growing season.

At Thomas Greenhouse & Garden Center in Mukwonago, WI, near Waukesha and Elkhorn, we’re here to help you tackle spring gardening the right way—from pruning and soil prep to composting and tool maintenance.

 

---

 

🌱 Tip #1: Choose the Right Time to Start

Early spring in southeastern Wisconsin can be unpredictable. One warm day doesn’t mean winter is over! The best time to start is when:

✅ Temperatures stay above freezing (ideally 40°F and up)
✅ The ground is no longer frozen (avoid working in overly wet, muddy soil)
✅ New growth is starting to emerge—a sign that plants are waking up!

Pro Tip: Cleaning up too early can disrupt beneficial insects and pollinators still sheltering in leaves and stems. Wait until daytime temps reach 50°F before clearing out flower beds!

 

---

 

🍂 Tip #2: Clear Out the Old & Make Room for the New

🌿 Rake & Remove Debris

• • Clear fallen leaves, branches, and dead plant material from garden beds and lawn areas.
  • Keep some shredded leaves! They make great organic mulch or compost material.
  • If you had diseased plants last year, remove and dispose of them—don’t compost, as this can spread disease.

🌱 Dig Out Dead Plants & Weeds

• • Remove any perennials that didn’t survive winter and cut back dead foliage from plants like daylilies and ornamental grasses.
  • Pull early weeds before they take root and spread.

🛠 Tool Tip:

A good hand trowel, weeding tool, and rake make this job easier! Stop by our Mukwonago location, near Waukesha and Elkhorn, to upgrade your gardening tools if yours have seen better days.

 

---

 

✂️ Tip #3: Prune & Trim for Healthier Growth

🌳 Trees & Shrubs

• • Early spring is the perfect time to prune most trees and shrubs before new growth begins.
  • Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches to improve air circulation and promote healthy growth.
  • Avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs like lilacs, forsythia, or magnolias until after they bloom, or you may remove this year’s flowers.

🌿 Perennials & Grasses

• • Trim back ornamental grasses to a few inches above the ground before new shoots appear.
  • Cut back perennials like coneflowers, hostas, and sedum to encourage fresh growth.

🌺 Roses & Flowering Shrubs

• • Roses: Trim off winter damage and shape plants for better airflow.
  • Hydrangeas: Prune only panicle (PG) and smooth hydrangeas in early spring. Leave bigleaf hydrangeas alone until buds form.

🌟 Not sure when or how to prune your plants? Stop by Thomas Greenhouse & Garden Center in Mukwonago, WI—our experts can help!

 

---

 

🌿 Tip #4: Refresh Your Garden Beds & Soil

🌱 Prep Your Soil for Planting

Healthy soil = strong, thriving plants! Before you plant, take these steps:

 

• • Loosen compacted soil with a garden fork or tiller.
  • Add organic compost to enrich the soil with nutrients.
  • Apply fresh mulch to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil health.

 

💡 Soil Tip: If your plants struggled last year, do a soil test to check pH and nutrient levels. We carry soil amendments, compost, and expert advice to help you get it right this year!

 

---

 

🚧 Unlock Exclusive Spring Gardening Tips! 🚧

Want to make the most of your spring garden? Get access to expert composting tips, essential tool maintenance advice, and pro planting strategies—exclusively for our subscribers!

🌱 Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this article and receive seasonal gardening insights straight to your inbox!

 

♻️ Tip #5: Start a Compost Bin – Reduce Waste & Feed Your Garden!

Spring clean-up produces tons of organic material—why not turn it into nutrient-rich compost? Composting helps reduce waste, improve soil health, and save money on fertilizers.

🌱 What to Compost:
✅ Fruit & vegetable scraps
✅ Coffee grounds & eggshells
✅ Leaves, grass clippings & plant trimmings
✅ Shredded newspaper & cardboard

🚫 What NOT to Compost:
❌ Meat, dairy & oily foods
❌ Diseased plants & weeds with seeds
❌ Pet waste

Pro Tip: A simple compost bin or pile in your yard can break down organic matter in just a few months! Need supplies? We can help you get started with composting at Thomas Greenhouse & Garden Center in Mukwonago, WI, near Waukesha and Elkhorn!

 

🛠️ Tip #6: Clean & Organize Your Tools & Supplies

🌿 Sharp tools = easier gardening! Now’s the time to:

✅ Sharpen pruners, shears, and shovels for clean cuts.
✅ Clean off rust & dirt to prevent the spread of plant diseases.
✅ Check hoses, gloves, and stakes—replace anything worn out.

🛠 Need new tools or garden supplies? We have everything you need at Thomas Greenhouse & Garden Center in Mukwonago!

🌸 Ready to Get Started? We’re Here to Help!
🌿 Looking for expert advice on spring gardening in southeastern Wisconsin? Come visit Thomas Greenhouse & Garden Center in Mukwonago, WI, near Waukesha and Elkhorn! We have:

✅ High-quality mulch, compost, and soil amendments
✅ New gardening tools, pruners, and supplies
✅ Expert advice on pruning, planting, and prepping your space

Next in the Series: Time to Plant!
With your garden clean and prepped, it’s time for the fun part—planting! Stay tuned for our next article on what to plant, when to plant, and how to give your new plants the best start.

🌱 We can’t wait to see you this spring! Stop by soon! 😊