April Yardwork: Fast Spring Cleanup Playbook

A 90-degree April day is rare—perfect for knocking out early spring lawn care before the season takes off. Here’s a quick, practical flow that gets debris cleared, wood sorted, and the first mow done without headaches.

What you’ll get: a simple sequence for debris pickup, fuel prep, safe cutting, and a clean first mow.

Start with fuel and storage wake-up

• Top off machines you just pulled from storage before working them hard. Fill with non-ethanol gasoline to minimize gumming in small engines.
• If winter fuel was stabilized, you’re ahead. A small dose of cleaner at spring startup can help clear lines and passages.
• Warm up equipment before the first cut of the season to confirm smooth running under light load.

Debris first, then mowing

• Walk the yard and load downed branches into the Kawasaki Mule so the mower won’t hit hidden sticks.
• Stage wood by size: firewood logs in one pile, twigs in another for easier burning later.
• If the ground is swampy, delay burning. Wet patches attract flies and gnats—clean up now and burn when it dries.

Cut smart on the first mow

• After debris pickup, mow with the Craftsman Zero Turn. A clean first pass sets the season’s baseline.
• Let the mower warm up before engaging blades, especially after winter storage.
• If your video or day is running long, break the work into sessions: back yard cleanup, then front yard mow.

PPE and cutting smalls

• Wear Milwaukee Safety Glasses and Husky High Impact Gloves when handling branches and moving piles.
• For processing smaller limbs before stacking, a Ryobi Sawzall speeds up trimming. Keep cuts clear of soil to protect blades.

Final takeaway: Knock out spring cleanup in this order—fuel, debris, sort, then mow. A calm first day back sets you up for smoother weekends all season.