Keeping your yard healthy, clean, and visually appealing throughout the year doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a clear yard maintenance checklist, you can stay ahead of seasonal changes, prevent damage, and keep your property looking its best in every season. Whether you’re preparing for a spring yard clean up, handling fall leaf removal, or managing routine maintenance, understanding what your yard needs—and when—is the key to long-lasting curb appeal.
At Scott Landscaping Services, we provide one-time, weekly, and bi-weekly landscaping services tailored to your schedule and your property’s unique needs. Homeowners and businesses across Southern Maryland trust our team to keep their outdoor spaces healthy, safe, and beautiful year-round.
This completete yard maintenance checklist breaks down what to do each season, helping you stay on track and avoid costly repairs later.
Spring: Clean Up, Refresh and Prepare for Growth
Spring is the season of renewal—and your yard feels it too. After months of winter weather, your landscape needs a fresh start to prepare for healthy growth.
Here’s what should be at the top of your spring yard clean up checklist:
1. Remove Debris and Winter Buildup
Winter leaves behind branches, sticks, and compacted debris. Removing these early prevents pests, promotes airflow, and prepares your lawn for mowing.
2. Deep Leaf Cleanup
Even if you handled leaves in the fall, winter winds often bring more. Clearing leftover leaves now ensures sunlight reaches your grass.
3. Dethatching and Aeration
Thatch buildup blocks nutrients. Aeration opens compacted soil so oxygen, water, and fertilizer can reach the roots. This is one of the most important early-spring services.
4. First Fertilizing Treatment
Spring fertilizer jump-starts growth and helps your lawn recover from cold weather.
5. Gutter Cleaning
Clogged gutters overflow onto your landscaping, causing erosion or mold. Cleaning them in spring protects your home and yard.
6. Mulching for Moisture and Weed Control
Fresh mulch keeps your soil warm, retains moisture, and gives your yard an instant visual lift.
7. Planting Flowers, Shrubs and Trees
Spring is ideal for new plantings because temperatures are mild and roots can establish early.
At Scott Landscaping Services, our spring cleanup services include debris removal, spring yard preparation, mulching, planting, aeration, and more—everything you need to set your landscape up for healthy growth.
Summer: Maintain, Water and Protect Your Lawn
Summer brings long days, heavy sun exposure, and increased foot traffic. This is when routine maintenance becomes essential.
1. Weekly or Bi-Weekly Mowing
Regular mowing keeps your lawn healthy and encourages thicker growth. Cutting too low weakens the grass, so proper technique matters.
2. Weed Control & Fertilizing
Weeds love the heat. Applying the right treatments in early summer helps prevent spread and protect your lawn.
3. Watering Deeply and Consistently
Summer watering should focus on deeper, less frequent sessions rather than shallow sprinkling. This promotes stronger roots.
4. Mid-Season Mulch Touch-Ups
Mulch breaks down throughout the season. Summer top-offs help control weeds and maintain visual appeal.
5. Inspect Trees and Shrubs
Hot weather stresses your plants. Check for pests, disease spots, or drooping branches.
6. Garden Bed Maintenance
Summer is the time to enjoy your flowers—but it’s also when weeds grow fastest. Regularly cleaning beds keeps everything looking polished.
If you don’t have the time to keep up with weekly tasks, our team offers reliable weekly and bi-weekly summer maintenance to help keep everything in great shape.
Fall: Cleanup, Restoration and Preparing for Cold Weather
Fall is the most important season for long-term lawn health. What you do now determines how well your lawn survives the winter and how quickly it recovers in spring.
Use this section of your yard maintenance checklist to stay on track:
1. Fall Leaf Removal
Leaving piles of wet leaves can smother your grass, invite mold, and attract pests. Our fall leaf removal services include leaf blowing, raking, bagging, and debris hauling to keep your property clean and safe.
2. Final Aeration & Overseeding
Cooler temperatures make fall the perfect time for aeration and overseeding. This helps thicken your lawn before winter and encourages strong root development.
3. Fertilizing for Winter Prep
Fall fertilizer strengthens roots and provides nutrients your lawn will store during dormancy.
4. Clean Up Garden Beds
Remove dying plants, trim perennials, and clear weeds to prevent disease during cold months.
5. Gutter Cleaning Before Winter
Clogged gutters contribute to ice dams and foundation issues. Cleaning them now prevents winter damage.
6. Final Mow of the Season
A final, slightly shorter cut reduces snow mold and keeps your yard looking tidy through early winter.
Scott Landscaping specializes in complete fall cleanup, including leaf removal, stick cleanup, mulching, trimming, and preparing your entire landscape for winter.
Winter: Protect, Monitor and Prevent Damage
While growth slows, winter is far from a maintenance-free season. Proper preparation helps avoid costly issues when temperatures drop.
1. Snow and Ice Management
Heavy snow can stress your landscaping. Clearing walkways, driveways, and pathways prevents damage and improves safety.
2. Protect Plants and Trees
Wrap sensitive shrubs or young trees to shield them from frost and windburn.
3. Keep an Eye on Drainage Areas
Blocked drainage systems can freeze, expand, and cause damage to soil and hardscapes.
4. Plan for Spring
Winter is the perfect time to evaluate what your yard needs next—like new plantings, mulching, or aeration.
Our team also provides snow removal services in addition to lawn maintenance, ensuring your property remains safe all season long.
Your Complete Yard Maintenance Checklist (Year-Round)
To make things easy, here’s your quick-reference guide:
Spring
✔ Debris removal
✔ Spring yard clean up
✔ Aeration & dethatching
✔ Mulching
✔ Fertilizing
✔ Gutter cleaning
✔ Planting & bed prep
Summer
✔ Weekly mowing
✔ Weed control
✔ Deep watering
✔ Mulch refreshing
✔ Garden bed care
✔ Tree & shrub checks
Fall
✔ Fall leaf removal
✔ Aeration & overseeding
✔ Final fertilizing
✔ Gutter cleaning
✔ Bed cleanup
✔ Final mow
Winter
✔ Snow removal
✔ Protect plants
✔ Monitor drainage
✔ Prep for spring
Give Your Yard the Care It Deserves
A healthy, beautiful yard doesn’t happen by accident—it comes from consistent care throughout every season. Whether you prefer one-time services or ongoing weekly and bi-weekly maintenance, Scott Landscaping Services is here to help.
For even more insights on seasonal care, Better Homes & Gardens shares how each season requires different tasks to keep your yard healthy—from spring fertilizing to fall pruning and winter protection. Their guide reinforces the value of following a structured yard maintenance checklist so nothing gets overlooked throughout the year.
We proudly serve homeowners across Southern Maryland, including:
- Waldorf
- La Plata
- Clinton
- Hughesville
- White Plains
- Indian Head
- Bryans Road
- College Park
- Prince George
- Montgomery
- And surrounding areas
If you’re ready to create your own yard maintenance checklist—or want a professional team to take care of it for you—contact us today for a free estimate. We’ll keep your lawn clean, healthy, and ready for every season.
