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Make your outdoor spring maintenance plan

Date Published: Mar 14 2011

by Ellen Goff

Rethink how chores get done and make the best use of your time and energy. Try using the following criteria to determine which projects to take on yourself, then call in professional help to handle the rest.

  1. Time required - is it worth me spending my time?
  2. Skill level - do I know how to do it AND have access to required tools?
  3. Physical strength - do I have the stamina to work without injury?
  4. Affordability - can I afford to pay a professional to do part or all of it?
  5. Home value - what impact will the work have if it's done by a professional?

These questions will help you to be time-wise, especially for regular maintenance like cutting the lawn.

After evaluating your projects, consider this sample list of both April maintenance and recurring chores before developing your plan. Remember to check Angie's List for the best professionals to assist you in each area if necessary.

Lawn: spring weed treatments, irrigation system start-up, weekly mowing and trimming

Trees: final month for planting before higher temperatures set in

Shrubs: planting, pruning blooming shrubs like azaleas after their flowers fade

Flowerbeds: clear old plants and weeds, work in several inches of compost and slow-release fertilizer, install plants and cover beds with mulch

Window boxes and flower pots: clean and replant

Deck, patio, and awning: spring cleaning or power washing

Swimming pool and fountain: open, clean and fill for the season, regular cleaning

Fencing: installation or spring repairs

Comments

Submitted by Bonnie on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I desperately need someone to do those flowerbed chores...who do you have in Canonsburg PA?

Submitted by Scott Free on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Useless. Seriously, did someone actually get paid to write this pointless garbage?

Submitted by Lela on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
You need to grow up Scott free. If you don't like it, don't read it. Or maybe you are just jealous because you didn't think of it or write it!!

Submitted by Scott Free on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
@Lola, the entire concept of Angieslist depends upon feedback from its subscribers. If people only post positive reviews, the site is pointless. I expect value for my $60 subscription, and therefore feel compelled to let the site administrators know when they are doing poorly so they can correct their deficiencies. If you think I need to grow up for being honest, poo on you!

Submitted by Pam on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I agree with Scott Free. Drivel. If you own a home this advise is Home Care 101.

Submitted by LEO J KUHN on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I agree with Scott Free. This is the way we have to grade Angies List on the value they are providing for a very expensive subscrption. Most of the articles I have read are pretty much usless. Granted, at age 74 and having grown up on an Iowa farm, I may have more experience than many of your readers, but I think you should stick to what you do best, rating service suppliers.

Submitted by elconleyjr on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
So it is basic & 101. Not everybody is the genius Scott believes he is. There are plenty of new HO & gardeners. The info is still of value.

Submitted by Rita on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Everyone, Let's understand that the total audience may not be as intelligent as the individuals. Remember we now have homeowners who did not do the obvious prior to buying their home (can I afford it? Am I reporting my real income or an inflated amount so it looks like I can afford it?) So, now we have homeowners who may still be in their unafforable home because of your tax generosity and they might need this kind of help thinking through a project. Always remember the audience!

Submitted by Angie on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Do I really need to replant all my potted plants? I live in San Diego.

Submitted by RLH on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
This is all fluff... Advertising with very little added value. This is not the only message I have recieved like this... In fact, it has come to the point where I just delete the mails anymore because I know there is nothing there of value to me. Angies list is becoming nothing more than a glorified Yellow pages with some added benefit of reviews and coupon savings... No real social value is being developed in a meaningful way... Of course this is my point of view so not everyone will agree and that's ok. But I hope Angies list at least monitors these comments and uses them to enhance thier service offerings. That's the hope any way... As for now, when my subscription expires, I'll just go back to using Craig's list and Yellow pages... Unless of course I start seeing some meaning full changes...

Submitted by Chris on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I thought I would see a plan to help save time and not a sales pitch.

Submitted by gr8twon on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I liked the first part -- it was very helpful in choosing which project to tackle and make effective use of my time and money. But the second part was very disapointing. I agree with Chris, I expected a very detailed checklist of many items that need to be done before summer fun starts. Thirdly, as far as the flaming comments, I find those disappointing too!. I value opinions of others that stay on the subject and that speak directly and honestly to the author or publisher of an article.

Submitted by FlowerGirl on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Scott Free, RLH, Leo & Pam - Perhaps the info provided isn't useful for you, but it may be useful for others. If you aren't happy with the content in AngiesList emails (like this), have you taken the time to call or write AList with constructive ideas and comments? Instead of complaining, how about taking positive steps to make the content more meaningful?

Submitted by Chris on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I concur w/ Scott Free & Leo. This is not what it once was. Each article I bother to read sounds more like an encouragement to use pros rather than any usefully neutral party's suggestions. I'm very borderline about renewing my subscription at this point.

Submitted by Ronald Liebscher on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Angie's list needs to do the thorough research that is found at Checkbook.org. Angie's list is a powerful business model to generate money. Now it is time to use some of that money to do good consumer research verses 30,000 foot overview. Check out the research and recommendation that Checkbook.org did on roofing. Compare that with what appeared in Angie's list. I used the reommendations and suggested legal clauses to get bids and got the best roofing job because of it. There was very little value to Angie's list. I got ripped off by a highly rated Cleaning Service on angie's list. I should have noticed there were only 2 reviews. Probably relatives of owner. Checkbook must have feed back from at least 20 customers before they publish a supplier's rating. Come n Angie's List, use that money for the benefit of consumers on solid research or you may disappear. I was so satisfied with the research Checkbook offered, I sent in an extra $25.00 donation.

Submitted by Charlene on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Used to recommend Angies List. I used two contractors that had received "awards" for service. Both have proven to be major problems and my house siding remains half completed for many months. If I had not trusted your ratings I would never have made the mistake of using these companies. I am still trying to use a cleaning service that I purchased thru you almost a year ago. You were supposed to help homeowners avoid problems. Trusting your judgement and ratings is now causing major problems. Time that YOUR SERVICE is rated...perhaps in the media.

Submitted by Traveler on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I agree with Scott. I travel a lot in the spring and the fall. I bought my first house in February and there is a bit of gardening and yardwork I need to do in may (I am traveling most of April). I need a decent plan for doing this, and this article is rubbish.

Submitted by CJ on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I found this article to be informative and as indicated it provided a good sample list of what to do. Read carefully. It was basic, to the point, provided practical information. I have a variety of garden books in my personal library that I use for further reference.

Submitted by AS12 on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Agree with Scott...very weak - just joined and wondering if this was a waste of money.

Submitted by Candy on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
When producing drivel, expect, criticism. I'm disappointed with their literature, and feel it's my duty to complain now, since they continue to produce such low quality articles. Do it well, or don't do it at all.

Submitted by Candy on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Shouldn't that be the company's job? I pay for a subscription, I comment on thier product, now thier workers should work to improve thier business. What am I missing? Oh, yeah, a paycheck, effectively letting me off the hook for doing all that extra stuff!

Submitted by Soulcomp on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Rita apparently is another undercover genius amongst us all. Lots of people, me included with my doctorate and senior citizen status, got SCREWED by the mortgage industry into a subprime loan when, I found out later, I probably could have had a prime loan, if I had gone to another mortgage broker. This was several years ago. Many other people got shanghaied in the same manner. And some people are just inexperienced with house maintenance, and are greatly helped by Home Ownership 101. I certainly would have been at one time, if only to quell my anxiety about "Where do I start with all this?" So get off your high and misinformed hobby horse, Rita.

Submitted by Nancy on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I also have an issue with a referral from Angies list. Over 11,000.00 and Angies list representitive treated me as though I was at fault when it is clearly the contracter. I am left to deal with this on my own will contact Angies List again to hopefully speak with a more positive person, ie someone customer oriented instead of defending Angies LIst reputation only. I need help not excuses! I am getting those from the contractor

Submitted by Denise on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Thank you FlowerGirl. I am an older home owner whom liked doing own work but now its too taxing and finding someone to do the little but important and physically taxing chores is quite an endeavor. This list is quite useful. And the best of us can become victims of fraud, misrepresentations, bad experiences with contractors or just circumstance.

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