Proper spring lawn care focuses on waking up your grass after winter dormancy, clearing debris, promoting healthy root growth, and preventing weeds and pests. Give Trey’s Lawn Service a call at 478-320-1521 and let us take care of your lawn and landscaping this spring.
1- Assess Timing and Grass Type
-Cool-season grasses (e.g., Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, ryegrass): They green up early as soil temperatures reach ~50–55°F. Start care when grass shows signs of growth.
-Warm-season grasses (e.g., Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine): They stay dormant longer and green up later (often late spring). Delay aggressive care until soil warms consistently.
-Transition zone: Mix of both—monitor local conditions closely.
-General rule: Begin once daytime temps consistently exceed ~40–55°F. Avoid working on frozen or overly wet soil to prevent compaction.
2-Clean Up the Lawn
Remove winter debris to improve airflow, reduce disease risk, and allow new growth:
- Rake gently to clear leaves, twigs, dead grass, and thatch (layer of organic matter >½ inch thick).
- Pick up branches or other objects that blocked sunlight.
- Do this early, as soon as the lawn is walkable without damaging it.
3-Fertilize Appropriately
Spring feeding boosts recovery, but don’t overdo it (especially early, to avoid feeding weeds or runoff).
- Use a starter or balanced fertilizer once grass greens up.
- For many regions, apply a product that also controls weeds.
- Follow label rates; a second application may follow 6–8 weeks later.
- Soil test helps tailor nutrients (nitrogen for green growth).
4-Control Weeds
- Apply pre-emergent herbicide (e.g., for crabgrass) in early to mid-spring, before weeds germinate—timing is critical and often tied to forsythia bloom or soil temp ~55°F.
- In southern lawns, focus on post-emergent for existing weeds.
- Healthy, thick grass naturally crowds out weeds.
5-Overseed or Patch Bare Spots
- Overseed thin areas for cool-season grasses in early spring (or fall for best results).
- Use appropriate seed for your grass type and keep seeded areas moist until established.
- For warm-season, seeding is often better in late spring/summer.
6-Mow Properly
- Wait for the first mow until grass reaches ~3–4 inches and is actively growing.
- Follow the 1/3 rule: Never remove more than one-third of the blade height at once to reduce stress.
- Mow at recommended heights (typically 2.5–3.5+ inches for most grasses) to encourage deep roots and shade out weeds.
- Leave clippings on the lawn (grasscycling) for natural nutrients.
7-Water Wisely
- Water deeply but infrequently (about 1 inch per week, including rain) to promote deep roots.
- Early morning is best to reduce evaporation and disease.
- Adjust based on rainfall—avoid overwatering, which can cause shallow roots or fungal issues.
Spring care sets the foundation for a resilient lawn all season. Results depend on consistency and adapting to your specific conditions (soil, grass type, weather).
At Trey’s Lawn Service, we take care of all of the guesswork. So, give us a call at 478-320-1521 and let us take care of your lawn and landscaping this spring.