🌿 Landscaping

Spring Yard Cleanup Checklist for Cleveland Homeowners

After a long Ohio winter, your yard needs attention before the growing season kicks in. Here's what to tackle first — and what you can probably skip.

Top priorities: Clear winter debris and dead leaves from plant beds first — leaving them smothers early growth. Then edge beds, apply fresh mulch (2–3 inches), and do a first mow once grass reaches 3–4 inches. Don't fertilize until soil temps hit 55°F or you'll push top growth before roots are ready.

LandscapingSpring Prep

❄️ Snow Removal

Seasonal Snow Contracts vs. Per-Event: Which Is Right for You?

Cleveland winters are unpredictable. Here's how to decide whether a seasonal contract or per-plow pricing makes more sense for your property.

Rule of thumb: If you have a long driveway or need reliability (elderly household, medical needs, early work commute), a seasonal contract gives you peace of mind. For smaller properties or mild-winter gamblers, per-event can save money in a light year — but cost more in a heavy one. Cleveland averages 68 inches of snow per year, so contracts often win out.

Snow RemovalWinter Prep

🏠 Pressure Washing

Soft Wash vs. Pressure Washing: What's the Difference?

Not all surfaces should be hit with high pressure. Here's how to know which method protects your home and which could cause damage.

The key difference: Traditional pressure washing uses high PSI to blast surfaces clean — great for concrete, brick, and stone. Soft washing uses low pressure with specialized cleaning solutions — essential for vinyl siding, roofs, and painted wood where high pressure would cause damage or force water behind the surface.

Pressure WashingHow-To

🌳 Landscaping

How Much Mulch Does Your Yard Actually Need?

Too little mulch and it dries out fast. Too much and you risk smothering plants and causing rot. Here's the simple formula to get it right.

The formula: Aim for 2–3 inches of mulch depth — enough to retain moisture and block weeds, but not so deep it causes root rot. To calculate cubic yards needed: multiply the bed's length (ft) × width (ft) × 0.25 ft (3 inches), then divide by 27. A typical Cleveland yard with 300 sq ft of beds needs about 2.8 cubic yards.

LandscapingMulch Tips

🚗 Pressure Washing

Why Your Driveway Looks Gray (And How to Fix It)

That dingy gray concrete isn't just age — it's years of oil, road salt, and algae. Here's what actually works to restore it.

What you're dealing with: Ohio road salt and de-icers break down concrete surfaces and leave mineral deposits. Oil stains penetrate the surface. Algae and mold feed on moisture and organic debris. A professional pressure wash with a surface cleaner attachment removes all of it in one pass and can make 10-year-old concrete look nearly new.

Pressure WashingDriveways

🍂 Landscaping

Fall Lawn Care in Northeast Ohio: What Actually Matters

Don't just rake and call it done. The actions you take in October and November have a huge impact on how your lawn looks next spring.

Fall priorities in Ohio: Remove leaves promptly — a thick leaf layer left over winter will smother grass and create disease problems. Do a final mow at 2.5 inches (shorter prevents matting under snow). If you missed spring aeration, fall is actually the better time for cool-season grass. And make sure beds are clear of debris before the first hard freeze.

LandscapingFall Care

Tips & Advice

How Often Should You Pressure Wash Your Cleveland Home?

Homeowner Tips from the Crew