What's Involved in a Spring Yard Cleanup After an Okanagan Winter

What Needs to Happen on the Lawn First?

The lawn is usually the biggest focus of spring cleanup in Kelowna. Start with a thorough raking to remove dead leaves, matted grass, and any debris that accumulated over winter. If the lawn shows signs of snow mould, grey or white patches of matted grass common after heavy snow cover, rake those areas vigorously to break up the mat and allow air to reach the soil beneath. Once debris is cleared, assess for bare or dead patches. In Kelowna, vole damage often shows up as winding trails of dead grass where the rodents tunnelled under snow. Small bare patches can be overseeded; larger areas may need sod. This is also the time to check your lawn's overall density, if it looks thin going into spring, overseed early so new grass has time to establish before summer heat arrives.

What Needs to Happen in the Garden Beds?

Garden beds need cleanup before new growth makes the work harder. Cut back any dead perennial stems left from fall, most perennials in the Okanagan are best cut back in early spring rather than fall, as the dead stems provide some winter protection. Remove any leaves that have matted down in the beds, as compacted leaf litter can harbour fungal issues and prevent spring growth from emerging. Check for winter-killed plants, anything marginally hardy that may not have survived a cold Kelowna winter. Hardiness zone 6a means most winters are manageable, but periodic cold snaps push the limits. Pull anything that didn't make it and note what to replace. Finally, top-dress beds with 2–3 inches of fresh bark mulch after cleanup, it's one of the most impactful things you can do for moisture retention through the dry Okanagan summer.

What Tree and Shrub Work Is Needed?

Early spring, before new growth pushes, is the ideal time for most pruning in the Okanagan. Dormant pruning causes less stress to the plant and allows wounds to begin healing as soon as growth starts. Remove any branches killed by winter, crossed or rubbing branches, and any growth that's encroaching on structures or walkways. For shrubs like mock orange, spirea, and Red-Osier Dogwood, spring cleanup is a good time for renewal pruning, cutting older, woody stems to encourage fresh growth. Roses should have winter wrapping removed and dead canes cut back to healthy wood. Fruit trees, if you have them, need spring pruning before buds open, this is a common Okanagan priority given how many properties have heritage apple and cherry trees. Leave spring-blooming shrubs like lilac until after they flower.

What About Irrigation and Debris Removal?

Before Kelowna's water restrictions season begins, typically Stage 1 starts in late spring, get your irrigation system checked and running properly. Turn the system on carefully after winter, checking for cracked pipes, stuck heads, and any zones that aren't covering properly. A broken head or leaking zone can waste hundreds of litres a week, which matters when you're managing water budgets under restrictions. On the debris side: a full spring cleanup generates significant volume, dead plant material, pruning debris, old mulch, and potentially junk that accumulated over winter. Many homeowners underestimate how much material there is until it's all in a pile. Cool Runnings handles full debris removal as part of our spring cleanup service, so you don't end up with a mountain of yard waste and nowhere to put it.