Tips for Getting Your Home's Exterior Ready for Spring

Now that our “good weather days” are spotty in Portland, checkered with frigid and rainy weather, it’s more important than ever to make a plan for your home’s exterior for the coming warm months. While some things need to wait until peak warm season, if you spend some time preparing and taking care of certain tasks now, you’ll have more sunny days to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

This blog has some resources to help you plan, prepare, and begin getting your home’s garden and exterior ready for its spotlight in the sunshine.

1.       Make A Plan for Your Garden

Resources like this veggie planting calendar from Portland Nursery are crucial in developing a plan for any veggies, herbs, etc. you plan on growing this year. Choose which items you’re interested in and depending on whether you need to start them indoor or outdoor, by seed or by start, write yourself a Garden Plan. It doesn’t hurt to draw yourself a map of your beds to help make sure each plant has enough space.

2.       Get Your Outdoor Décor

This is a great time to think about the “vibe” of your outdoor space if you’re looking for a change. A great local spot to pick up all types of outdoor décor including terra cotta and cement pieces of varying sizes and colors is Little Baja on Portland’s East Side.

3.       Trim Dead Branches

If you prune dead branches from rose bushes and other blooming plants this year, they will thank you by using the extra energy they have available to grow big and beautiful to dazzle you all summer long.

4.       Pick Your Outdoor Colors

There may still be some cold, rainy days ahead of us- however, it’s time to start making a plan for any paints and stains you want to add or change in your patio, fence, porch, or stair area. Make sure you see the new colors in many different types of light- and you know Portland- make sure you like the way the new color looks in the middle of a gloomy day!

5.       Clean the Garage and Shed the Clutter in the Shed

The garage and shed are sort of inside, outside hybrid structures. Trust us- you will feel so much better if you take this off of your plate now! Purge any Christmas decorations you no longer need, donate cold weather clothes that don’t fit, and bring your summer floating, camping, and fishing gear closer to the front. Bundling up and getting this done to give you a de-cluttered, organized work space for all your summer tasks is the best thing you can do for yourself this year.