The sun is higher in the sky, birds are singing—spring has sprung. Allow yourself a few moments to bask in the splendor of the season, but as you look out the window, remember that there’s some work to do now that the yard is no longer blanketed in snow. There are wet leaves to rake up, there’s mulch to lay down, and this summer’s flowers aren’t going to plant themselves, are they?
Before you head out, make sure you stay warm, safe, and healthy. Take these tips for working outdoors in the spring before you run down your checklist of tasks. After all, getting the yard ready for spring and summer isn’t worth the trouble if you wind up in no mood or condition to fully enjoy it.
Wear Layers
Temperatures are temperamental in the spring. “If you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes” is an axiom that’s never truer than at this time of year. Allow yourself some flexibility with ever-changing weather by dressing in layers. If you find yourself getting too warm or too chilly, you can react accordingly and continue to work in comfort.
Protect Against Allergies
After lying dormant through winter, environmental allergies can come back with a vengeance in the springtime. This can require extra precautions. If you know your allergies are bad, or your body has suddenly decided to develop a hypersensitivity to allergens such as pollen and mold, cover as much skin as you can and keep your nose and mouth covered up.
Don Footwear With Care
As the temperatures warm up, it’s tempting to strap the sandals back on for the season. With the terrain still being treacherously wet, muddy, and slippery, flip-flops aren’t the best idea just yet. Open-toed footwear with poor support can be dangerous as you’re doing yard work in the wake of a spring thaw.
Don’t Forget the Bug Spray
Our fourth and final tip for working outdoors in the spring is to be mindful of mosquitoes. Pesky insects aren’t top of mind while you’re holed up inside through the winter, but as temperatures warm up and standing water accumulates, mosquitoes will see you as a feast on two feet. Deploy your insect repellent so you can complete your work without getting a bad case of the itches—or worse.