Welcome Spring to Your Home

article by Erin Sharplin Love

Is it just me or does spring feel like the perfect time to reset your personal clock and renew your surroundings? After all, spring ushers in fresh air, blooming plants and trees, longer days and warm sunshine. Doesn’t the anticipation of the new season make you feel a little more alive and well already? There will be more to come on that topic in a future article, but now I want to concentrate on welcoming spring to your home.
Let’s start from the outside and move our way indoors!

Garden

I must say that I have really been into gardening these days. I used to love the idea of growing my own fruits and vegetables but never thought I could actually do it. I am ecstatic to say that I have grown watermelon, peppers, strawberries, squash, broccoli, green onions, and cauliflower! If I can do it, so can you! I promise!
With that said, spring is the time to start getting your yard and garden in order. If you don’t have the time or inclination to follow these steps, don’t be afraid to ask for help from your family or a master gardener – children usually love helping with this type of chore!

1. Clean the lawn. Inevitably, there will be leftover debris such as sticks, leaves, and tree branches that dropped during the winter months, so now is the time to clear them from your lawn and flower beds. Sounds like too much work? The downside of leaving them where they lay is that they could stunt the growth of new plants.
2. Refresh your pots. Clean out the leftover annuals from last year and replant with new ones such as tulips and iris. Once you have removed last year’s plants (from the root), be sure to toss the soil and add more as needed. This is also a good time to add plant food to the pots.
3. Plan your garden: If you want to grow your own fruits and vegetables, making a plan is the first step!! North Louisiana is known as Zone 8 for planting purposes, so make sure you choose plants that are hardy in our zone.
4. Check your feeders. Make sure your bird and wildlife feeders are in good order and replace them if not. The buzz of little hummingbirds begins as soon as the last frost has hit, so be ready for them. Also, don’t forget to set up a spot for birds and squirrels. If you don’t like the squirrels eating all of your bird food, set up a special feeder just for them. They need a little extra sustenance for their diet, too.
5. Prepare your beds. Trim any dead leaves or limbs from existing perennials to promote new growth and move the soil and mulch around to aerate a bit. This keeps the soil and, therefore, your plants happy.
6. Check your hoses. Make sure your water hoses haven’t developed leaks over the winter. Replace them if needed.
7. Clean outdoor furniture. Even if you cover your furniture over the winter months, there will still be dust, dirt, and other debris that collects under protective covering. Now is the time to clean chairs, lounges, etc. thoroughly.
8. Prepare your lawnmower. Get your lawnmower ready for the spring and summer by changing the engine oil and sharpening the blades.

Grilling Area

Whether you just have an outdoor grill or you have an entire outdoor kitchen, now is the time to get it cleaned and prepared for spring and summer parties and cookouts. I have never used a grill (I leave that to my husband), so this is usually his outdoor chore. These are the steps he follows:

1. Clean the grill. Use a wire scrub brush to get any gunky mess off the rack; remove it and soak it in warm soapy water. Meanwhile, clean the inside and the outside of the grill. To save from future mess, add tinfoil to the rack when it doesn’t affect the grilling process. For instance, we often cook veggies and shrimp in foil packets on the grill.
2. Fill the tank. Make sure your propane tank is full. This is also a good time to pick up an extra one as backup.
3. Clean the utensils. Since grilling is typically a spring and summer activity, there is a good chance that the grilling utensils have not been used for a while. Now would be the time to pull them out and give them a good cleaning so they will be ready for you first cookout.

Home Exterior

The exterior of your home can take quite a beating during the winter months. After all, there is typically ice, cold wind, and falling leaves, not to mention temperature fluctuations that occur between the inside and outside of the house. Therefore, I suggest adding a few maintenance tasks to your spring cleaning routine.

1. Clean out your gutters. Fallen leaves have definitely gathered there and are waiting to create a tragedy when the next downpour comes.
2. Wash exterior windows. This isn’t a favorite job, but I have a tip that made it more fun for me – purchase a squeegee! These are so much fun to use and actually make the job a bit easier!
3. Inspect your roof. You don’t have to get on the roof to inspect it. Grab a pair of binoculars and peruse the roof for any lifted, shifted, or missing shingles.
4. Clean and refresh the front door area. Give your front porch a nice cleaning from top to bottom to remove any empty bird nests or spider webs. You may also want to replace your welcome mat and anyother items that may have faded over the winter. Don’t forget the door itself! It is the entrance to your home, and it should be clean and clear of any debris that may be tracked inside.
5. Clean decks, driveways, and fences. You will need a pressure washer for this task. While cleaning, look for any damage that might need repairing.
6. Check the seals around windows and doors. Cold weather can often crack and damage caulk and other seals. Repairing the damage can prevent exorbitant energy bills and can keep rain from entering your home and causing further damage

Now that you have the outdoor area pretty much spring ready, let’s move on to the indoor area.

Décor

Of course I suggest giving your entire house a good spring cleaning, but welcoming spring isn’t just about cleaning. Below are a few tips for giving your décor a little spring boost.
1. Treat yourself to spring flower arrangements. Fresh flowers are better because they typically have an aromatic scent, but if you just don’t want or can’t get fresh flowers, go ahead and invest in a silk plant that looks as authentic as possible.
2. Change your pillows. One of the fastest ways to update your décor is to change your accessories. I love adding accent pillows in spring colors to freshen things up.
3. Lighten up your scents. In other words, switch your pumpkin, pine, and cinnamon candles our for lavender, cucumber, and other floral- scented candles. The scent you or a guest detects as you enter a room can have a huge effect on the “mood” of the surroundings. Keep that in mind when choosing scents for your home.
4. Add a few ivy plants. Nothing says fresh, new, and “spring” than a small pot of real, fresh ivy. Pick up a few pots and set them in the gathering spaces in your home.
5. Display fresh fruits and vegetables. Pull out a beautiful wooden bowl, set it on your kitchen counter or dining room table, and add fresh fruit and vegetables.
6. Change out your bedding. Switch the heavy comforter for a lighter version. You may even want one that has flowers or is a pretty spring-like color. These changes usually lighten the mood, too.

Organize

You should not only clean, but you should also update existing organizing systems.
1. Switch out your closet. If you have to change your clothing each season due to lack of space, now would be the time to start the transition. Remember to keep your favorite lightweight jackets, cardigans, and tops in your closet as the weather will still have cool spells that will require long sleeves.
2. Clean out your fridge and freezer. Get rid of anything that is freezer burned or that has expired and replace it with fresh fruits and vegetables. Spring is a great time for lighter fare such as salads and cobblers, so ditching some of the heavier starchy foods will make you feel better.
3. Get your papers ready for the CPA. Unfortunately, spring also means tax season, so finish the final details of your tax information and get it out to your CPA as soon as possible.
4. Refresh your laundry room. Did your hampers take a beating over the winter? If so, replace them with some brand new ones. You could also switch out the scent of your detergent for a cleaner-smelling version for spring. I always decant my detergent into a pretty, clear container with a spout (drink dispenser). Something about this added touch just makes the area look cleaner and more put together.
5. Prepare for summer fun. Pull out all of your travel essentials and make sure they are ready. For instance, your suitcase may need a good cleaning and you may need to replace a few carry-on essentials. You could also get a head start on preparing for that jaunt to the beach this summer! I always pull out the beach towels, toys, and essentials to make sure nothing needs replacing or updating.
Once I have everything in place, I set it in a designated spot in my garage. Then, when it is time to load up the car, I grab and go! Being prepared saves me from unneeded stress, for sure!
6. Get ready for the rain. Ugh! I really don’t like the spring rainy season, but it will inevitably come. After all, “April showers bring May flowers!” Get ready by checking your umbrellas to make sure they work and purchase new raincoats if needed. Lastly, make sure they are easily accessible by the door you exit and enter.

It looks like we have a lot of fun things to do this spring, so let’s get started! Keep me updated on your progress and feel free to contact me with any questions or comments!