The end of winter is an important time to come up with a spring lawn care plan. As temperatures rise and daylight hours extend, your grass awakens from being dormant and is ready to begin another growing season. Generally, once soil temperatures consistently reach above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and there is no more risk of frost, your grass will begin actively growing again. 

This window of opportunity in early spring gives you the perfect chance to address winter damage, prepare for the growing season ahead, and establish the foundation for a lush, healthy lawn that will flourish throughout the year. A well-executed spring grass maintenance plan promotes healthy grass growth and prevents common issues, such as weed invasion, moss, pest infestations, and other issues.

Some early-season tasks, such as soil testing and mower maintenance, will give you a successful start. Follow this spring lawn maintenance checklist to ensure your lawn thrives throughout the growing season. 

Have Your Soil Professionally Tested

Healthy soil and grass begin with providing your lawn with any nutrients it may be missing. Testing your soil is the most reliable way to find out what nutrients your lawn needs. This will determine what kind of fertilizer your grass needs to be as green as possible. Conducting a soil test also evaluates your soil’s pH, which can be treated if it’s out of balance, helping to ensure proper nutrient availability.

Rake

While basic yard cleanup removes visible debris, strategic raking during spring lawn care does more. A deep rake with proper pressure helps break up matted grass clumps and removes dead grass material that can lead to thatch buildup. This process improves air circulation and allows new grass shoots to emerge without being held back by clumps of older grass.

• Use a sturdy rake with tines to gently lift matted grass.
• Rake in different directions to effectively loosen debris.
• If you live in an area with snow, pay special attention to areas where snow piles lingered. Compacted snow can damage grass while it’s in the dormant state.
• Remove all loosened material.

Dethatch 

Thatch in a lawn means you have a thick layer of brown material. This is organic material, such as grass clippings or leaves, that have become piled up in a layer. A healthy lawn should maintain a thatch layer under a half-inch thick. A thin layer of thatch allows air, water and nutrients to pass through to the soil. Too much thatch blocks this movement. Prepare your yard for spring by digging into your yard in a small area to see how thick your thatch is. Or look for these signs that you need to dethatch:

• Spongy feeling when walking on the lawn
• Grass roots growing above the soil surface
• Increased pest and disease problems
• Difficulty pushing a screwdriver into the soil

Treat and Remove Weeds

Grass is not the only thing that is ready to start growing in spring when temperatures warm up again. Weeds are ready to sprout too. While pre-emergent weed control helps with spring grass maintenance, there are other things you can do. We recommend these additional steps:

• Identify common weed species in your area.
• Time treatments based on local growing conditions.
• Establish proper mowing height for your type of grass to discourage weed growth.

Aerate and Overseed

If your soil is compacted, air and water can’t get through. Aeration means poking small holes into the grass to allow for movement of air, water and nutrients to the grass’s roots. This encourages healthy growth. Overseeding means you are spreading new grass seed onto the existing turf without digging it up. This helps you fill in any bare spots and keep your turf dense. Dense turf helps keep weeds out.

Fertilize

Most lawns need fertilizing because soil alone can’t provide all the nutrients that grass needs for healthy growth over the long term. There are a few factors to consider when choosing your fertilizer. In general, the time to fertilize is while your grass is actively growing, not when it is dormant.

Water Properly

Watering is important for spring grass maintenance. Consider installing moisture sensors to help you account for natural rainfall — you want to achieve about 1 inch of water. Deep watering encourages deeper root growth, which helps grow healthy grass. But too much water can be harmful.  

Get Help From Lawn Care Professionals

While many lawn care tasks can be handled by yourself, consider working with a professional who knows your area’s climate, your grass type, and what your soil needs. 

Ready to develop a customized spring lawn care plan? Contact Lawn Doctor to schedule a comprehensive lawn evaluation so you know how to take care of your lawn this spring. Explore our professional lawn care services.