Spring Cleaning…Outdoors!

Irises -- Spring Cleaning OutdoorsI was just pondering why I don’t write spring cleaning tips. And I came up with 3 reasons: 1) I’m an organizer, not a housecleaner. 2) I don’t really believe in spring cleaning. Gasp! What? Well, with only a few exceptions, such as drapes and ceiling fans, there is nothing in my house that I would want to go a whole year without cleaning. I prefer doing a little bit at a time, all year long, to avoid any one cleaning project becoming a big nasty job. Also, I think it’s important to consider: How clean does your house really need to be? (Have you found your sweet spot between clean, tidy, and organized?) Finally, 3) When spring comes, my attention shifts to outdoors!

Spring cleaning outdoors is something I can get excited about! Click To Tweet

Now, spring cleaning outdoors is something I can get excited about!

Of course, one reason I’m excited is that two men with gardening tools are outside, as we speak, cleaning up my yard for me. Don’t worry, there will plenty left for me to do when they are gone.

Canopy in March winds

Canopy suffering March winds

Here are my tips for getting your yard ready for outdoor living:

Clean it up. Rake leaves. Pull weeds and dead plants. Hose down lawn furniture (and scrub, if necessary). Clean the BBQ and get it ready for grilling.

Fix it up. Repair whatever is broken, if you can. I just ordered new canopies to replace my old ones that were shredded by age and March winds.

Get rid of it. Toss or recycle anything you can’t fix, and leftover junk from old projects. Donate the good stuff you no longer use or love.

Canopy in better days

Canopy in better days

Spring color

Colorful spring planter

Trim it. Now that the trees are budding you can see for sure which branch is really dead. Lop it off.

Spruce it up. Buy one new thing – new cushions for your chairs, a new planter or lawn ornament. Sprucing up doesn’t have to be expensive. You don’t need to go overboard.

Fill it up. Bird feeders, baths, and fountains can really add to your outdoor enjoyment!

Cute feeder with built-in ceramic birds

Cute feeder with built-in ceramic birds

Plant it.  Plant some flowers! Nurture them.

Enjoy it.  Sit down, take a deep breath, relax. Spend time with family and friends. Listen to the sounds of nature.

Are you looking forward to some outdoor living? What are you doing to Spring Clean Outdoors? Please share with us in the comments below!

 

 

 

 

 

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Copyright 2012 by Hazel Thornton, Organized For Life. Updated 2016.
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5 Comments

  1. Janet Barclay on April 17, 2016 at 10:02 am

    I’ve lived in an apartment for 12+ years, and for the most part, I don’t miss any of the work or expense involved with owning a house. However, on a beautiful day like this, and after reading your post, the thought of working in the yard does have a certain appeal! I have no doubt my sister will put me to work in hers in the not too distant future. 🙂

  2. Seana Turner on April 18, 2016 at 1:53 pm

    I’m a funny one with the bird feeder. I feed all winter, but I put my feeder on my patio so I can see it from the kitchen. In the summer, I don’t want the birdseed residue or bird droppings in my seating area, so I clear it up. I am thinking of hanging a hummingbird feeder for the summer, though. That would be so fun!

  3. […] Spring Cleaning Outdoors by Hazel at Organized for Life […]

    • Hazel Thornton on April 4, 2021 at 9:46 am

      Thanks for linking to my post in yours, Sabrina!

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