As homeowners prepare for spring cleaning in 2025, a new guide highlights essential products and tips to help achieve a healthy, attractive lawn. The guide recommends a selection of tools and materials that can be purchased for under $500.
For pruning tasks, the guide suggests Corona Clippers. "In my experience, Corona Clippers are hands down the best! Whatever your pruning needs Corona has a solution. Whether you need to prune back your forsythia, rose bush, or cut some flowers, the 1-inch hand held Bypass Pruners are the best! They are my go-to pruning tool! They are well made, work amazingly, and last for years. For your spring cleaning tasks, you need some Corona pruners!"
To manage watering schedules and avoid waste, water timers from DripWorks are recommended. "Have you ever accidentally left the hose running? I know I have. It can be easy to forget that the hose is turned on. Whether you are refilling the pool this spring, or just watering the lawn, use a water timer! Drip Works offers a range of timers with the cheapest being only $15 and better models such as their Bluetooth controlled timer for $45. Whichever timer you choose, you can rest assured that you will disperse just the right amount of water each time you turn on the hose, and this can save you a lot of headaches."
The guide also highlights Orbit's oscillating sprinklers available at Gardeners Edge as an affordable way to cover large areas when seeding new grass. "No doubt about it, a good sprinkler is a must when it comes to preparing your lawn for spring. In my experience, Orbit's oscillating sprinklers are some of the best. They are affordable, and one can be used to cover up to 3,600 sq. ft."
For hoses and nozzles that do not leak and last longer than cheaper alternatives, Garden Goods Direct is suggested as a source.
Soil health is addressed through additives from Good Sweet Earth such as biochar which supports beneficial microbes in lawns. The guide states that fertilizer alone may not provide all necessary nutrients.
When selecting fertilizers for optimal grass growth, AM Leo’s organic options like Bradfield Organics Luscious Lawn Natural Fertilizer and Neptune's Harvest Turf Formula are recommended.
The guide emphasizes using quality grass seed suited to local climates during fall or early spring overseeding efforts.
Bulbs from Blooming Secrets offer an affordable way to add color; most bulbs have high germination rates compared to seeds. A discount code is provided: "Save 25% with Code GREENPAL".
Old Factory Soap’s compostable packaging embedded with wildflower seeds allows users to plant native flowers after use.
Gardening gloves from Foxgloves Inc., specifically their Extra Protection Gloves Gauntlet model, are recommended for durability during various yard tasks.
Natural Armor’s vinegar-based weed killer provides an alternative to chemical herbicides like Roundup by offering effective results without long-term environmental impact.
Diatomaceous earth is highlighted as an inexpensive method for controlling pests such as fleas and ticks while remaining non-toxic to pets and pollinators.
To attract bees and butterflies—important pollinators—the guide suggests adding features like butterfly puddlers from Amaranth Stoneware: "One unique way to attract butterflies and keep them around is a butterfly puddling stone." Bird feeders made from natural wood by Schoolhouse Woodcrafts encourage native bird species that help control garden pests: "Bird Feeders can attract native bird species which can help you to fight off a wide variety of garden insects and pests!" Birdbaths from Amaranth Stoneware further enhance backyard habitats.
A book titled *The Field Guide to Urban Gardening* by Kevin Espiritu is mentioned as a resource for those interested in maximizing small spaces with urban gardening techniques.
Luxury items outside the main budget include lobster rope welcome mats from The New England Trading Company designed for durability outdoors and outdoor fire pits by Curonian intended as accents for patios or lawns.
Finally, readers are invited to enter a giveaway sponsored by Blooming Secrets featuring Gladiolus Bulbs, Lilies Bulbs, and Dahlia Bulbs as prizes.