Getting your yard ready for spring in Somerville & Cambridge

Many Somerville and Cambridge yards are small, but they still collect a winter's worth of leaves, sand, salt and broken branches. A little attention in early spring makes outdoor spaces feel much better once the weather finally turns.

1. Clear out winter debris

Start by getting everything back to a clean baseline:

• Rake leaves and trash out of beds, corners and fence lines
• Pick up fallen branches and trim back obviously dead growth
• Sweep sand and salt off walkways and patios

2. Refresh garden beds

Even small planting beds benefit from a quick reset before plants leaf out:

• Pull early weeds while roots are shallow
• Edge the front of beds for a clean line against grass or walkways
• Add a fresh layer of mulch, keeping it a few inches away from trunks and siding

3. Check how water moves through your yard

In dense neighborhoods, water has fewer places to go. During a spring rain, take a quick look at:

• Where puddles form near foundations, steps or walkways
• How downspouts discharge into your yard or onto neighbors'
• Whether soil has settled and created low spots

Small grading tweaks, splash blocks or extended downspouts can help keep both your yard and basement drier.

4. Plan realistic planting for small spaces

For compact city yards, I usually recommend planting that's low‑maintenance and sized to the space:

• Perennials that come back each year with less effort
• Shrubs that won't quickly outgrow tight beds
• Containers where in‑ground planting isn't practical

5. Decide where you want help

Some people love doing yard work; others just want it to look good without taking up every weekend. I often help clients with:

• Spring and fall clean‑ups
• Edging and mulching beds
• Planting new shrubs and perennials
• Light pruning and shaping of existing plantings

Need a hand with your spring yard work?

If your property is in Somerville, Cambridge, Medford or another nearby town and you'd like help getting your yard ready for spring, use the quote request form on the home page. Include a brief description and, if possible, a few photos of the space, and I'll follow up with ideas and an estimate.