Bob Vila’s “Must Do” Projects for April

Now that the weather is warming up, it’s time to undo the damage winter has done to your property and begin prepping for a bountiful, enjoyable summer outdoors.

By Bob Vila | Updated Mar 21, 2023 11:07 AM

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Parent wearing sneakers and child holding colorful garden tools planting tree

Photo: istockphoto.com

Spring is here, and with it comes a bouquet of seasonal responsibilities. It’s time to clean and repair outdoor elements on your property, like fences and patios, that winter has battered. April is the perfect time to spruce up your lawn, begin planting trees and seeds, and prepare your home’s interior for allergy season. Some homeowners, too, may be busy readying their homes for a quick spring sale. Whether you’re staying in your home or selling it, enjoy some fresh air this month! Read on for April’s top “must do” projects.

1. Repair the Fence 

man painting a picket fence with wood stain with a yellow-handled paintbrush

Photo: istockphoto.com

Winter can take a toll on the home and yard, and it can be particularly brutal on fences. Now that it’s nice enough to linger outside, walk around your property to check posts, gates, and other fencing elements. Replace a leaning fence post by breaking up the old footing, standing it upright again, and then pouring new concrete into the excavated area. While you’re at it, refresh any tired pickets or other surfaces with a coat of paint for a quick boost of curb appeal.

RELATED: 10 Types of Fencing Materials All Homeowners Should Know

2. Sow Your Seeds

Mother and Daughter Sowing Green Peas Seeds in Spring Vegetable Garden

Photo: istockphoto.com

Once the danger of winter frost has passed, April is the time for sowing cool-season vegetable varieties outdoors. Plant your garden in raised beds for optimal drainage, or directly into the yard if your soil is arable. Choose your plants wisely, and opt only for foods you like—no one wants to get stuck with a bumper crop of cabbage the family won’t eat.

RELATED: 12 Tricks to Make This Year’s Vegetable Garden a Success

3. Reseal the Driveway

Asphalt driveway sealing with a wide, flat brush

Photo: istockphoto.com

The secret to a long-lasting driveway is a routine resealing regimen. Choose a rain-free weekend to work, then spray down and scrub the drive clean. Allow it to dry for a full 24 hours. When it’s dry, pick up a driveway sealer from the hardware store and work it onto the asphalt in 4-foot by 4-foot patches using a squeegee or the back of a push broom. Keep tires (and feet) off the surface for another 24 hours to allow it to set properly.

RELATED: How Much Does an Asphalt Driveway Cost?

4. Test Your Lawn’s pH

lawn soil test kit with pH color strip sitting among blades of grass

Photo: depositphotos.com

Before you fertilize, sod, and reseed your lawn, you need to become familiar with its pH conditions, and it’s easy to do so by evaluating it with a soil test kit. (Many kits also test for key nutrients like nitrogen.) Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to determine your lawn’s pH. Once you’re armed with this information, you’ll be equipped to establish a fertilizing schedule for your lawn.

RELATED: Ultimate Lawn Care Guide: 12 Steps to a Prize-Winning Yard

5. Put Your House on the Market

"For Sale" Sign in Front of a white contemporary home

Photo: istockphoto.com

Are you thinking of listing your home for sale? Spring is historically the best time to do so. Before you list, consider making a few minor curb appeal updates that’ll show your house off to best advantage. Simple home staging tips can transform your interior, too. For example, you’ll make it easier for buyers to picture themselves in their new home by packing away family photos and personal knickknacks.

RELATED: 14 Insanely Easy Curb Appeal Updates You Can Do in a Day

6. Refresh the Bathroom

Person Installing a new Showerhead in a black finish with an Adjustable Wrench

Photo: istockphoto.com

You don’t need to sink thousands of dollars into a bathroom remodel to give the space a fresh look. Swapping out the shower curtain, medicine cabinet, cabinet hardware, shower head, and bath mat can give the room a new look. These little changes won’t take you more than a few hours to make, but the results could be dramatic.

RELATED: 10 Walk-In Shower Ideas to Inspire Your Next Reno

7. Plant a Tree

Two people wearing garden gloves planting a tree sapling

Photo: istockphoto.com

April is full of good reasons to plant a tree: There’s Arbor Day and Earth Day, and the climate is just right for planting dormant trees. Your local nursery or garden center can help you choose an adolescent tree that’s right for your region, or you can become a member of the Arbor Day Foundation and receive 10 seedlings to plant on your property for just $50.

RELATED: The 15 Best Trees for Any Backyard

8. Prepare Your Home for Allergy Season

Woman wearing yellow rubber gloves changing the filter in a split-system air conditioner

Photo: istockphoto.com

A wet and snowy winter can portend acute allergies come spring. Take precautions now by changing your HVAC filters and keeping your windows closed while tree pollen is in the air. Allergy-proof your home by changing up your family’s routine: Get in the habit of checking footwear at the door, and place doormats both inside and outside the threshold to trap extra pollen.

RELATED: The 8 Worst Houseplants for People With Allergies

9. Install a Rain Barrel

Brown wooden barrel collecting rain water from house gutter with lush plants in the background

Photo: istockphoto.com

The rainy season is great for parched lawns and gardens. Turn April showers into a gift that lasts by building or buying a rain barrel in which you can save and store rainwater. It’s simple to install, and harvesting rainwater will save money on your water bill! Just be sure to check your local ordinances before you get started to make sure you’re in compliance.

RELATED: Buyer’s Guide: The Best Rain Barrels

10. Power Wash the Patio

Man wearing overalls cleaning a wooden deck with a power washer

Photo: istockphoto.com

A year’s worth of grime can age a beautiful deck or patio beyond all recognition, but you can get your outdoor space gleaming again with an afternoon’s work. Use a pressure washer to spray down wood and concrete surfaces and lift away grime and mold. When the work is done, your space will look almost new again.

RELATED: 8 Things You Can Clean With a Pressure Washer