Spring Lawn & Garden Prep: Get Your Property Ready

After a long Ottawa Valley winter, your lawn and garden need some attention before the growing season kicks off. The right equipment makes spring cleanup faster — and the results last all summer.

Start with Dethatching

A layer of thatch — dead grass and debris — builds up over winter and blocks water and nutrients from reaching the soil. Dethatching in early spring gives your lawn room to breathe.

A power dethatcher or lawn scarifier handles the job in a fraction of the time it takes to rake by hand. For most Ottawa Valley lawns, one pass in late April is enough.

Aerate Before You Fertilize

Compacted soil from snowplows, foot traffic, and frost heaving is one of the biggest obstacles to a healthy spring lawn. Core aeration pulls small plugs from the soil, allowing air, water, and fertilizer to penetrate where roots need it most.

Pair aeration with overseeding and a slow-release fertilizer for the best results. Time it when overnight temperatures are consistently above 5°C — typically mid-May in our region.

Tackle Garden Beds Early

Spring is the best time to edge garden beds, turn compost into soil, and cut back any perennials that weren’t tidied up in the fall. A power edger gives you clean, defined lines that hold through the season.

• Dethatcher – removes winter thatch layer
• Lawn aerator – relieves compaction, improves drainage
• Power edger – defines beds and walkways
• Tiller / cultivator – prepares vegetable garden beds
• Chipper / shredder – turns pruned branches into mulch

Ready to Get Started?

All of these tools are available to rent by the day or weekend at any Rental Village location. Our staff can walk you through which equipment suits your property size and what to watch for this time of year.