Spring Has Sprung! in 2026

Saving money on spring has sprung does not need to be complicated. Here is a clear, no nonsense rundown of what works and how to make the most of it.

Key Takeaways

• My backyard oasis in progress -- how's yours coming along this year?
• Worth noting: how's your own spring cleanup and spruce up going so far this year?
• But the yard, as they say, has solid bones.
• And yes, the city is raking it in (no pun intended) off of my yard waste stickers this year...

Where the Real Savings Hide

Plus, check out my adorable new little patio set. 😉 It was randomly 85 degrees here in Chicago on a late April day yesterday (you know... after snowing last week, and thunderstorming right now...), so I've made the most of the balmy weather whenever possible. Since we just moved into this house at the end of August last year, this is my first spring making the outdoors my own -- and, my first spring seeing what I have to work with out there!

• I don't genuinely know what I'm doing, but am figuring out as I go along. 🙂 So, here's some of what I've been up to outdoors, making my new house feel like... home.
• Out with the old, in with the new Since absent owners had rented out my new home for the past several years, not much had been done here for a while.
• Overgrown ground cover and vines were choking out the bushes, pulling out the downspouts, and grabbing at the siding; weeds had taken over the garden; brush was obscuring most of the plantings.
• More importantly, after chopping out some large dead roses Secret Garden style, digging out layers upon layers of fallen leaves in various stages of decomposition, clearing out the brush, digging out dead bushes, & cutting back the out-of-control shrubbery and ground cover and vines, it's high time to get going on the new!

A Closer Look at Spring Has Sprung

Roses from Costco & ALDI The poor house was looking pretty bare after I removed several large dead bushes in the front. So the other day, I impulse bought two of these knockout rose bushes from Costco for by the front porch -- $16.99 each, and a solid size already.

• Remember that they're supposed to bush out nicely and bloom until fall, so I'm hoping they take well there and add a little color to the front.
• I also planted two smaller bare root rose bushes from ALDI ($6.99 apiece last week), in the back near my sad non-working pond.
• This replaced a dead boxwood, and hopefully will grow out nicely to hide the lovely drainage pipe behind it.
• ALDI has been dangerous -- when I'm there each week picking up my groceries, I keep impulse-purchasing plants on their weekly gardening sales.

What to Know About Spring Has Sprung

As a rule, oops. 🙂 ALDI also sold small bare root $3.99 flowering shrubs a couple of weeks ago, so the front of my house now sports forsythia in place of more of that darn dead boxwood. We'd planted these at my old house years ago, and I remember forsythia growing highly fast and happily there.

• We'll see if it does the same here -- but, even the bare ground was better than those sad dead bushes.
• Annuals from Home Depot & ALDI Some pretty annuals from Home Depot add a beautiful pop of color to the back patio.
• In short, a few packs of these went into existing pots, and genuinely make it feel like spring!
• Speaking of existing pots, ALDI provided me with a couple of $3.99 hydrangea to plant in large containers on the back patio.

How Spring Has Sprung Really Works

My used coffee grounds are going into the soil each morning now, to assist them bloom beautifully blue when they begin filling out and work with the purple-and-blue theme I have going back there. I also picked up a couple of $6.99 hanging baskets from ALDI for the deck.

• Worth noting: these were sad and unloved, but are already beginning to fill out and perk up after a few days of water & sunshine.
• I love my new (to me) little patio table!
• Look at this adorable little mosaic patio table set from Facebook Marketplace, with its fortuitously matching cushions from ALDI! (Two for $19.99, and so worth it.) A little coat of black Rustoleum spray paint, and this set will be almost as solid as new.
• This is the perfect place to sit and watch the boys on the trampoline.

Getting the Most From Spring Has Sprung

More importantly, did I mention the trampoline? That's this year's large purchase, and has been worth each penny in getting pandemic-bound Middle School Guy back outside and off of video games.

• I went with the longer 9'x15' rectangular one instead of a round one so that he can practice his Xtreme taekwondo moves on there. (The price on this Skywalker trampoline went up LIKE CRAZY since I bought it in early March, too -- everyone is thinking summer now, apparently.) More to do...
• It's raining right now, so the bags of mulch in the garage will have to wait.
• Remember that then, I'll get back to clearing and weeding again -- and, these crazy large hosta are coming up all over the place.
• I have a vague concept you're supposed to begin dividing these, yes?

Tips That Make a Difference

After that: The garden awaits! In addition to planting these green onions that have been rooting on the windowsill, I typically at least put in herbs, peppers, and tomatoes.

• As a rule, what else is straightforward for a new garden and a fresh begin this year?
• Then, the deck and front porch require a little more work.
• I picked up this affordable three piece patio set on Amazon last fall -- it does require a solid cleaning at the moment, but otherwise is actually highly comfortable and useful.
• As more of us get vaccinated (I'm almost 2 weeks out from dose 2), I hope to be able to have friends over this year to enjoy my back yard oasis-in-progress.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

In short, so, that's what I've been up to! How are your outdoor projects coming?

• To be honest, the outdoors has been pulling me away from the recipes lately.
• But, this should be the most involved year in getting to a solid beginning point; hopefully each spring after this one should be easier. ...
• Worth noting: facebook Twitter Email Messenger.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save money on spring has sprung?

Compare prices across a few retailers, look for active coupon codes, and time bigger buys around sales events. Since we just moved into this house at the end of August last year, this is my first spring making the outdoors my own -- and, my first spring seeing what I have to work with out there!.

Is it worth shopping around for spring has sprung?

Usually yes. I don't genuinely know what I'm doing, but am figuring out as I go along. 🙂 So, here's some of what I've been up to outdoors, making my new house feel like... home.

Smart Ways to Save More on Spring Has Sprung

• Leave items in your cart for a day; some stores send a follow up discount.
• Pair cashback with a coupon so you save twice on the same order.
• Stack a coupon code with an existing sale whenever the store allows it.
• Sign up for the retailer newsletter to catch first time and seasonal discounts.
• Compare the final price including shipping, not just the headline number.

Final Thoughts

Before you check out, line up spring has sprung against current promotions and any codes you can stack. Small habits like these add up to real savings over a year.

Originally published at mashupmom.com.