Do this before the yard takes off.
Clear the beds
Rake leaves and dead stems. Pull weeds. Cut damaged branches just above a bud.
Fix the soil
Loosen packed soil. Work in some compost. Don't till it to dust. Rake it level.
Prune
Take off dead wood and branches that cross. Open the plant up so air can move. Don't scalp it. For a big tree, call someone who does trees.
Check the lawn
Rake out the dead grass. Seed bare spots and water them. Spot-treat weeds, and don't spray on a windy day.
Test the soil if the lawn looks off
A soil test tells you the pH and whether you're short on nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium. Fix that before you dump on more fertilizer. Compost still helps either way.
Plant
Group plants that want the same sun and water. Dig a hole a bit wider than the pot. Set the plant level with the soil, then water it in.
Mulch and feed
Mulch the beds, but keep it off the stems. Use the fertilizer rate on the bag. Water it in. More is not better.
Water
Water deep and less often so roots go down. Morning is best. A drip line or soaker hose wastes less than a sprinkler at noon.
Bugs
Look for chewed leaves and bugs on the stems. Hand-pick or use a soap spray first. A mix of flowers brings in the insects that eat the pests.
