The New York Times - 8 ways to prepare for spring

Squint hard and you’ll see the light at the end of the proverbial winter tunnel. Spring is nearing.

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Knocking a few small tasks out now can help you get the most out of those first few—and often fleeting days—of warmth. You know, that stretch when it’s picnic weather one day, and the next, it’s freezing again and the picnic blanket you were inspired to order hasn’t even arrived. Plus, is there any better antidote to late February than transporting yourself to your April garden, even if just for a moment?

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Here’s what our experts suggest putting on your to-do list now:

• Replace your HVAC filters: “Pollen season approacheth,” warns senior staff writer Tim Heffernan. These are the furnace and air conditioner filters we recommend. A well-designed air purifier can help capture airborne allergens, too.
• Bust out the camping gear: Associate staff writer Kyle Fitzgerald always takes time ahead of camping season to look over his camping gear and air some of it out. “Especially if it’s been sitting packed up in the basement and I haven’t used it all winter,” he says. We have advice on how to spruce up your stuff before you use it for the first time this year.
• Pull out your spring tees from the back of the closet: Investigate them for any stains and see if you can refresh them. “If an item can’t be saved,” says supervising editor Ingela Ratledge Amundson, “now is a great time to plug that hole in the lineup.”
• Restock your sunscreen: Yes, you should be wearing sunscreen year-round, but especially when you’ll be spending more time outdoors. Supervising editor Tracy Vence says that sunscreen definitely lands in the “buy quality in advance vs. whatever you can find in the closest store” kind of category. And if your sunscreen has expired (check those dates!) or you’ve had it for more than three years, you’ll definitely want a replacement.
• Invest in a good Bluetooth speaker: As your backyard, porch, or patio grows ever more inviting, senior editor Grant Clauser predicts you’ll want a Bluetooth speaker that’s portable enough to grab and go—and durable enough to withstand the elements. Because what’s the first dinner outside of the year without some tunes?
• Beat the bike shop crowds: Senior editor Christine Ryan says that “bike shops get slammed in spring, when everyone remembers, ‘Oh, I have a bike! I want to go for a ride!’ And then they see that their tires are flat, and their chain is gunked up from basement or garage dust.” If it’s been a minute since your bike has seen the light of day, bring it into the shop for a tune-up now.
• Plan some planting: Start your seeds indoors now instead of having to buy full-blown plants come spring. You don’t need pricey grow lights to do this—these $20 shop lights can produce just as healthy seedlings indoors for a fraction of the price.
• Get ready to take your office outside: The right gear makes it easy for you to take your calls, answer emails, and be productive outdoors. Prepare now so that when the warm sun finally graces you with its presence, you won’t have to wait until clock-out time to soak it in.