New homeowner here--what do you have done in your spring cleanup and how much does it cost?

[Anonymous]

Just moved into my own house this winter and it comes with a lovely landscaped yard. Front yard is 1/2 lawn and other 1/2 landscaped areas with plants etc. In fact that part looks very scrubby (looks like low tufts of dead tumbleweed, etc) but my neighbor said, 'in spring it's the nicest part on the street.)

I'd like to get the yard ready for the spring and am contemplating a "spring cleanup". There are things that need doing, and a few beds of flowers as well that I don't really know what will come up.

And another challenge is that I just found out (thanks to a bunch of old house plans to our midcentury place) that our yard was designed by a renowned landscape architect of the area. So I don't want to mess anything up--either actively or by neglecting something important! Previous homeowners (who bought from original owners) did not seem to realize this as they never mentioned it to us; they kept the yard in OK condition, added some things, left a few areas untended.

I'm thinking that I need (or might need) to have the following done:
-Removing lots of twigs from front & Back yard (thanks, Windmageddon)--many of these are tiny so it seems like a raking job.
-Removing the leaves that have clumped up in the corners of the yard, in nooks of the house exterior.
-Aerate the lawn ? (there are some mossy areas under a tall pine tree; wondering whether this is a necessary step at this point, whether the cleanup would typically include that)
-Light hedge trimming of many bushes (a few are 'sculpted' looking)--is spring an ok time to do this, because I could also do myself.
-Mulching? I have areas with mulch; do they need to be remulched each year? I don't know what's going to grow up there, whether there will be weeds there, so was contemplating (as recommended in another thread) just letting it be for a season or two to get a handle on what it is.
-Edging? Is this essential?


An option is to have the guy who did my $40/mow at my old rental place, being clear on the kind of labor I want him to do and being there to supervise. I saw an older 2016 thread on spring cleanups where posters were frustrated that the cleanup crews removed or messed up their landscaping elements, so I was considering going 'light' on what I have done and being there to supervise/direct. So things like raking, leaf removal maybe some hedge trim, not sure what else is important.

I can spend some, but not a lot of $, and really, one of my main concerns is to get to know my landscape and to treat it well (trimming at the right time/method, preventing weeds if needed but responsibly, helping the plants to flourish) and if I start outsourcing it the first new season, I won't apply as much mental bandwidth to this goal (since as I am a working mom of two). And I won't know what needs to be done so I'll be spending more than I need, including perhaps for services I don't need.
Is there a 'landscape care for beginners' class in Montgomery county that gives hands-on mentoring.... Or a "yard care for beginners" book with instructions for tending to the main kinds of trees?

Advice welcome!

[Anonymous]

Get someone to consult on what needs to be done, for an hourly fee. Then you can have your landscaper actually do it. I know someone who does this, but he just does the Bethesda area since he lives there.

[Anonymous]

It looks like you are asking for two pieces of info - how do you learn about the plants in your yard and how much does a spring clean up cost and what does it entail.

If you are extremely lucky, you can get both services from a knowledgeable landscape company. How would you find such a company - first, on here. Second google around for garden clubs in your county. Same on Facebook. And ask there. Mention that the yard was designed by the landscape architect and you’d like to maintain and restore it. Tell whomever you bring out that you’d like to take notes on the types of plants they id for you, then start researching.

How much it costs depends on the size. For a small yard in Arlington I paid 600 and that was clean up, reshaping a few bushes and mulching.

Just give everything a year to bloom for you, then figure out what you want to change.

[Anonymous]

You don’t even mow your own yard, so I don’t see you doing any of these things yourself.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the ideas above. Love the suggestions! I should add that I have noticed that
-there are a lot of leaves in the ivy ground cover areas, and
-the edges are currently pretty crisp so I would like to keep them that way.

Is either something to prioritize? I do want things to look relatively good over the summer, so if the leaves aren't going to decompose at this point, I think I'd want them as part of the cleanup.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It looks like you are asking for two pieces of info - how do you learn about the plants in your yard and how much does a spring clean up cost and what does it entail.

If you are extremely lucky, you can get both services from a knowledgeable landscape company. How would you find such a company - first, on here. Second google around for garden clubs in your county. Same on Facebook. And ask there. Mention that the yard was designed by the landscape architect and you’d like to maintain and restore it. Tell whomever you bring out that you’d like to take notes on the types of plants they id for you, then start researching.

How much it costs depends on the size. For a small yard in Arlington I paid 600 and that was clean up, reshaping a few bushes and mulching.

Just give everything a year to bloom for you, then figure out what you want to change.

OP here. The exciting (to me) part is that I have the landscape architect's hand-drawn plans including what plant was to go where. I can see that not everything is still in place (or perhaps some things weren't installed as per the plan), but it does help to identify what we have. And what was added later.
I also see that his firm still exists with one of the partners still there (probably close to retirement age) and the firm's web site proudly notes their founder's renown, so I was also thinking about calling them to see if they would like a copy of the plans for their own archives and see if they might come out to give me some tips on how to restore/update certain areas (for example there's an exposed aggregate patio that is cracked and dull). But I worry that might be expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It looks like you are asking for two pieces of info - how do you learn about the plants in your yard and how much does a spring clean up cost and what does it entail.

If you are extremely lucky, you can get both services from a knowledgeable landscape company. How would you find such a company - first, on here. Second google around for garden clubs in your county. Same on Facebook. And ask there. Mention that the yard was designed by the landscape architect and you’d like to maintain and restore it. Tell whomever you bring out that you’d like to take notes on the types of plants they id for you, then start researching.

How much it costs depends on the size. For a small yard in Arlington I paid 600 and that was clean up, reshaping a few bushes and mulching.

Just give everything a year to bloom for you, then figure out what you want to change.

OP here. The exciting (to me) part is that I have the landscape architect's hand-drawn plans including what plant was to go where. I can see that not everything is still in place (or perhaps some things weren't installed as per the plan), but it does help to identify what we have. And what was added later.
I also see that his firm still exists with one of the partners still there (probably close to retirement age) and the firm's web site proudly notes their founder's renown, so I was also thinking about calling them to see if they would like a copy of the plans for their own archives and see if they might come out to give me some tips on how to restore/update certain areas (for example there's an exposed aggregate patio that is cracked and dull). But I worry that might be expensive.

Oh, and PS the other PP is also correct that I do have the immediate issue of a cleanup, intertwined with the larger issue of wanting to learn to appreciate and properly maintain this landscape.

[Anonymous]

You are so, so fortunate to have a property professionally landscaped, never mind by one of those sexy renowned landscapers! Wow! I would consider that an honor.

I like the idea of reaching out to garden clubs. I suspect they will be thrilled to have an opportunity to help you with your yard - a good group of people who know what they're doing and can identify the plants on your property. I would have a good quantity of wooden giant popsicle sticks and a permanent marker, and would write down the names of the plants as they're called out, sticking them in the ground as you walk around with the garden people.

If you decide you don't want to keep some of the plants, be sure you offer them to the garden club members. You can also post them on Craigslist. Not everyone can afford expensive plants, and someone will be thrilled to have the opportunity to dig them up and cart them home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are so, so fortunate to have a property professionally landscaped, never mind by one of those sexy renowned landscapers! Wow! I would consider that an honor.

I like the idea of reaching out to garden clubs. I suspect they will be thrilled to have an opportunity to help you with your yard - a good group of people who know what they're doing and can identify the plants on your property. I would have a good quantity of wooden giant popsicle sticks and a permanent marker, and would write down the names of the plants as they're called out, sticking them in the ground as you walk around with the garden people.

If you decide you don't want to keep some of the plants, be sure you offer them to the garden club members. You can also post them on Craigslist. Not everyone can afford expensive plants, and someone will be thrilled to have the opportunity to dig them up and cart them home.

I know, I feel like I found hidden treasure!!

So I wanted to share with DCUM the amazing thing that happened to solve my issues!
Yesterday I was doing some general tidying in the yard just to sort of get acquainted with my yard. All afternoon I was thinking, 'I'll plan to get someone from the garden club or another experience landscaper to help me figure out all this, and it'll take time and perhaps money, but that is going to be the key to making my yard even nicer."
Eventually was in the front lawn, and along comes a friendly lady who is a neighbor and she was on her way to another neighbor's social gathering (to which I was going to go later too). She introduced herself as living in the property directly behind me (that is, we share the back fence). She asked if I needed any help in identifying the various plants, because she herself trained as a master gardener in the UK. She also gave me tips on the area I was wanting to clear at that point.
So we decided she will come over on one of the next weekends to go around with me and discuss all the plants and their care!! I cannot wait!! Can you believe it!
As for the cleanup, I did a lot of basic tidying myself just to spend the time outside, and I am having my old yard work guy over next weekend to clear leaves, rake twigs etc (that is, minimal work but basic stuff). And I'll definitely get a landscaper but will hope to stave off the urgency now that I will have it cleaned up a bit and am getting some guidance on the specific care of various plants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just moved into my own house this winter and it comes with a lovely landscaped yard. Front yard is 1/2 lawn and other 1/2 landscaped areas with plants etc. In fact that part looks very scrubby (looks like low tufts of dead tumbleweed, etc) but my neighbor said, 'in spring it's the nicest part on the street.)

I'd like to get the yard ready for the spring and am contemplating a "spring cleanup". There are things that need doing, and a few beds of flowers as well that I don't really know what will come up.

And another challenge is that I just found out (thanks to a bunch of old house plans to our midcentury place) that our yard was designed by a renowned landscape architect of the area. So I don't want to mess anything up--either actively or by neglecting something important! Previous homeowners (who bought from original owners) did not seem to realize this as they never mentioned it to us; they kept the yard in OK condition, added some things, left a few areas untended.

I'm thinking that I need (or might need) to have the following done:
-Removing lots of twigs from front & Back yard (thanks, Windmageddon)--many of these are tiny so it seems like a raking job.
-Removing the leaves that have clumped up in the corners of the yard, in nooks of the house exterior.
-Aerate the lawn ? (there are some mossy areas under a tall pine tree; wondering whether this is a necessary step at this point, whether the cleanup would typically include that)
-Light hedge trimming of many bushes (a few are 'sculpted' looking)--is spring an ok time to do this, because I could also do myself.
-Mulching? I have areas with mulch; do they need to be remulched each year? I don't know what's going to grow up there, whether there will be weeds there, so was contemplating (as recommended in another thread) just letting it be for a season or two to get a handle on what it is.
-Edging? Is this essential?


An option is to have the guy who did my $40/mow at my old rental place, being clear on the kind of labor I want him to do and being there to supervise. I saw an older 2016 thread on spring cleanups where posters were frustrated that the cleanup crews removed or messed up their landscaping elements, so I was considering going 'light' on what I have done and being there to supervise/direct. So things like raking, leaf removal maybe some hedge trim, not sure what else is important.

I can spend some, but not a lot of $, and really, one of my main concerns is to get to know my landscape and to treat it well (trimming at the right time/method, preventing weeds if needed but responsibly, helping the plants to flourish) and if I start outsourcing it the first new season, I won't apply as much mental bandwidth to this goal (since as I am a working mom of two). And I won't know what needs to be done so I'll be spending more than I need, including perhaps for services I don't need.
Is there a 'landscape care for beginners' class in Montgomery county that gives hands-on mentoring.... Or a "yard care for beginners" book with instructions for tending to the main kinds of trees?

Advice welcome!

You are looking at $500-$600 depending on size of yard.

[Anonymous]

We have a similar yard -- moved into a place with really lovely landscaping. We pay close to $1000 for cleanup and mulching. The mulch cost itself is about $250 of that (7 cubic yards) and then the labor to spread the mulch is usually about another $250. Then the rest of it is for cleaning up the beds, trimming hedges, edging, etc.

[Anonymous]

I pay $700 in spring in the Midwest for professional landscaping with a degree in landscape architecture.

Pay the pros. Don’t even try to do more than weed because they do such a better job than I could! It I should like maintaining everything else on a nice house.

[Anonymous]

A true clean up of an landscape yard will be closer to $3000 in this area despite what I promise you will be the gasps of I pay $300 for that but if your landscape is something you value and want to be pretty easy care - find a true professional (and I promise you my $3000 is on the low side of a horticultural based clean up.) Since you have the plans and the name of the landscape architect's firm - why not give them a call and describe what you have and what you hope to achieve. They can certainly give you the names of people they use and you may even ask if you'd be able to tour any of his/her designs to see what a well cared for landscape would look like. (If one of the well know - I wouldn't be surprised if on the Georgetown Garden tour.)

It is great that your neighbor is knowledgeable and is offering to help: she will be great to point out your gems and problem areas.

Too many of the landscape 'clean ups' consist of indiscriminant hacking of shrubs (not understanding how plants should actually grow to become as pretty and healthy as they should); they just throw mulch on top of the old stuff (shredded hardwood mulch should be clean swept off at least every other year) and since you don;t know what the plants are this year you should wait on mulch as this clean up could add on deep cover and kill things that emerge late. Heavy fertilizers will make your garden look good short term but most of your mature plants won't need.

One last thing: if your landscape was designed awhile ago-with the increase of deer and the likelihood that your yard has more shade because of mature trees - the original plan may be totally wrong for your conditions now.

[Anonymous]

OP, just because you have a design plan, it doesn't necessarily mean that plan was implemented in toto. We've had a landscape company draw a design for our backyard with full notations for plants, flowers etc. We didn't do any of it. So I wouldn't assume until I see this yard in full glory.