Spring Cleanup in Chicago, IL
Clear the winter leftovers off the yard so the grass can green up clean and the first mow of the year goes smoothly.
What a Chicago winter leaves on your yard
When the last snow melts, Chicago yards are rarely pretty. Leaves that were buried in November are now a flat, wet mat on the grass. Sticks and branches have come down in winter wind. Dead stalks from last year still stand in the beds, and the strip of lawn along the street is often brown from road salt thrown during plowing.
A spring cleanup deals with all of that in one pass, before the lawn starts growing in earnest. We rake off the matted leaves and thatch so light and air reach the crowns of the grass, clear fallen sticks and litter, cut back last season's dead growth in beds and clean up the edges along walks and fences.
Matted leaves matter more than they look. Wet leaves smothering turf through snowmelt are a classic setup for snow mold, the gray or pinkish circles that appear as the snow recedes. Raking early lets the grass dry out and helps those patches recover, which is why the job is best done in late March or April, once the ground is firm enough to walk on.
Signs your yard is ready for a spring cleanup
- A flat, soggy layer of last fall's leaves still covers parts of the lawn.
- Gray or pink circular patches have shown up where the snow melted (snow mold).
- Sticks, branches and wind-blown trash are scattered across the yard.
- Grass along the curb, parkway or driveway is brown where road salt landed.
- Perennial beds are full of dead stalks and old growth.
- Edges along the sidewalk and fence have grown ragged over the winter.
- You want the yard clean before the first mow or before the weather turns warm.
How a spring cleanup is done
Wait for firm ground
We start once the soil has dried enough to walk on without tearing up soggy turf.
Rake and clear
Matted leaves, thatch and fallen sticks are raked and gathered from the lawn and beds.
Cut back and tidy beds
Last year's dead stems are cut back and the edges of beds, fences and walks are cleaned up.
Remove the debris
We bag or pile the debris according to what we agree on the quote, and blow the walks clean.
What affects the price of a spring cleanup
Spring cleanups are priced by how much debris there is and how much hand work it takes.
Volume of debris
A yard with a heavy fall leaf load and a lot of winter branches takes longer than one that was cleaned in November.
Lawn and bed area
More lawn to rake and more beds to cut back adds hours to the job.
Bagging and removal
Whether the debris is piled for pickup or bagged and taken away changes the labor and the cost.
Extra work
Dethatching, bed edging or reseeding salt-damaged strips are add-ons that we quote separately.
Why choose Lopez Lawn Care Service for spring cleanup
A spring cleanup sets up the whole season, and it flows into the first mow. Because we handle mowing as well, we can start your weekly visits right after the cleanup without a second company.
Tell us what the yard looks like and we will quote the cleanup. Rafael Lopez does the estimates himself, and there is no charge for a quote.
Spring cleanup service areas
We do spring cleanups across Chicago and in nearby areas. Yards on the far southeast side of the city, close to Lake Michigan and Wolf Lake, tend to stay wet and cold longer in spring, so cleanup there often waits for a bit firmer ground.
Spring Cleanup questions answered
When should I schedule a spring cleanup in Chicago?
Late March through April is typical, as soon as the snow is gone and the ground is firm. Raking saturated soil can tear up the turf, so we wait if it is too soft.
What is snow mold and will raking help?
Snow mold is a lawn disease that shows up as gray or pink circular patches after snowmelt. Raking matted leaves and thatch lets the grass dry and breathe, and most lawns recover on their own as they dry out.
Can you fix grass damaged by road salt along the street?
Salt-damaged strips along curbs and driveways often need flushing with water and reseeding. We can look at the damage and tell you what is realistic on the quote.
Do you take the debris with you?
We will agree on the plan for the debris when we quote the job, whether that is bagging it for pickup or removing it.
Is a spring cleanup the same as dethatching?
No. A cleanup rakes away loose debris and light thatch. Heavier dethatching or power raking is a separate job and we will say so if your lawn needs it.
Ready for spring cleanup? Request A Free Quote
Tell us about your yard and we will get back to you with next steps.
(312) 550-4174