Spring Landscaping Checklist for Pittsburgh Yards

Spring in Pittsburgh usually arrives in bursts — a warm week in March, then a late frost in April. That unpredictability makes a clear landscaping checklist even more useful.

Start with cleanup. Rake out leaves, sticks and winter debris before new growth gets in the way. Then cut back dead perennials and ornamental grasses to a few inches above the crown.

Next, edge beds. A clean edge between lawn and bed makes mulch look crisp and keeps grass from creeping in. We edge by hand on most properties because it holds its shape longer than string trimming alone.

Mulch comes last, and depth matters. Two to three inches is ideal for most shrubs and perennials. Too little won't suppress weeds; too much can suffocate roots and hold moisture against stems.

Finish with a pre-emergent if weeds were a problem last year, and set a mowing schedule. For most lawns, weekly cutting through May and June keeps grass healthy and prevents the shock of removing too much at once.