#MulchRefresh

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Calm Your Garden: 5 Things to Remove This Spring

Spring yard clean-up is more than just a seasonal task—it’s the first step toward creating a peaceful garden. A clutter-free yard helps reduce stress, enhances curb appeal, and creates a space where you can truly relax.

1. Dead Plants and Debris

Why Remove Them?

Dead perennials, old stems, and fallen leaves prevent sunlight from reaching the soil and can harbor disease or pests. Clearing them away allows your garden to breathe and grow fresh.

How to Do It:

Rake gently around beds and borders

Cut back last season’s stems and stalks

Pull out any dried annuals and compost the healthy parts

Quick Fact:

Excess organic debris in early spring gardens can promote mold and fungal diseases by providing a habitat for pathogens (“All Gardening Tips | UC Agriculture and Natural Resources”)

2. Broken Branches and Overgrown Shrubs

Why Remove Them?

Damaged limbs and unruly shrubs not only look messy—they can also block light and create a feeling of chaos in your yard. Pruning gives your garden a sense of structure and harmony.

How to Do It:

Prune broken or dead branches using clean tools

Thin shrubs to open up the interior and let light in

Shape hedges for balance and softness

Proper pruning not only improves the appearance of plants but also promotes healthier growth and overall plant vitality (“Honey Fungus / RHS”).

3. Old Mulch and Weedy Layers

Why Remove Them?

Last year’s mulch can be compacted or filled with weed seeds. Refreshing it not only looks great but also helps your soil stay cool and moist in warmer months.

How to Do It:

Rake away old or faded mulch

Pull hidden weeds underneath

Apply a fresh 2–3 inch layer of mulch around beds

Data Insight:

A survey found that 72% of homeowners felt their garden looked “immediately calmer” after mulching, highlighting the aesthetic and psychological benefits of this gardening practice (“New Study: Spending Time in Your Backyard Boosts Mental Health, Lowers Anxiety”).

4. Unused Pots, Tools, and Yard Clutter

Why Remove Them?

Old containers, forgotten tools, and rusty decor pieces can clutter your visual space and reduce garden calm. A tidy area creates a more open and soothing atmosphere.

How to Do It:

Sort and store garden tools properly

Toss broken pots and faded decor

Keep just a few well-placed, meaningful items

Did You Know?

Most homeowners have over 10 unused gardening items cluttering their yard or shed, as many tend to keep broken, duplicate, or outdated tools and equipment that contribute to clutter and disorganization (Mundorf).

5. Crowded or Misplaced Plants

Why Remove Them?

When plants are too close together, they compete for water and nutrients, creating stress. Reorganizing plantings helps restore balance and clarity.

How to Do It:

Divide and move overgrown perennials

Identify plants that have outgrown their spots

Replant or give away extras to neighbours

Expert Note:

Proper plant spacing is essential because it gives plants enough room to grow healthily, improves air circulation to reduce disease, and creates an open, inviting garden environment (Admin).

Bonus Tips for a Clutter-Free Yard:

Edge beds for neat lines and better shape

Clean outdoor furniture to make your space inviting

Sweep patios and walkways to refresh the entire look

Add one simple focal point—like a birdbath or sculpture

Let Your Garden Breathe

Taking time to remove what no longer belongs in your garden makes space for growth, beauty, and calm. A thoughtful spring yard clean-up not only improves plant health, it brings mental clarity and joy to everyone who steps outside.

Let And-Rod Construction Do the Hard Work

Spring is here, and we're booking for 2025! Reserve your Spring Clean-Up or Bruce County's Landscape Maintenance and Summer Garden Care with And-Rod Construction now.

Let us handle the weeding, pruning, and prepping so you can enjoy a beautiful, stress-free yard. We also offer custom garden design and ongoing care. Existing clients will be contacted soon. New clients, reach out to book a clean-up, request a consultation, or ask about our services.

Works Cited:

“All Gardening Tips | UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.” UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-santa-clara-county/all-gardening-tips.

“Honey Fungus / RHS.” Royal Horticultural Society, www.rhs.org.uk/disease/honey-fungus.

“New Study: Spending Time in Your Backyard Boosts Mental Health, Lowers Anxiety.” Morningstar, Inc., 29 May 2025, www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20250529la98139/new-study-spending-time-in-your-backyard-boosts-mental-health-lowers-anxiety.

Mundorf, Deirdre. “Declutter Your Space by Throwing Away These 10 Garden Items You’ll Never Need Again.” House Digest, 3 May 2025, www.housedigest.com/1847438/declutter-space-throw-away-garden-plant-items-never-need.

Admin. “The Importance of Plant Spacing.” Future Garden Specialist Garden Centres, 30 Aug. 2023, www.futuregarden.co.uk/expert-advice/the-importance-of-plant-spacing.