- Rake the Yard. Avoid walking or working on your lawn until after the spring thaw, to prevent damaging the grass. ...
- Aerate the Soil. Another way to reduce thatch and the effects of compacted soil is to use a core aerator, which removes plugs of soil so more air, water ...
- Fertilize the Grass. ...
- Seed and Lime the Lawn as Needed. ...
- Water the Lawn. ...
Why is spring lawn care important?
For lawns in the North, tamp down on crabgrass early with a pre-emergent weed killer like Scotts® Turf Builder® Halts® Crabgrass Preventer with Lawn Food. However, if you’ve recently seeded or are planning to use grass seed in the spring, use Scotts® Turf Builder® Triple Action Built for Seeding instead.
What is the best way to Mow Your Lawn in spring?
Mar 18, 2022 · 8 Spring Tasks to Foster a Great Lawn Rake Deeply. Raking is the first thing you need to do to prepare your lawn for new growth. You may still have a few... Aerate if Necessary. If your lawn gets heavy traffic, such as lots of running and playing in the same spot, this can... Assess the Soil. Moss ...
When is the best time of year to treat your lawn?
If your southern lawn has weeds, send them on a permanent spring break with Scotts® Turf Builder® Bonus® S Southern Weed & Feed . It kills dollarweed and clover, plus many other weeds commonly found in the South. If you also have issues with fire ants, though, apply Scotts® Turf Builder® Southern Triple Action instead.
Should I treat my lawn for weeds in the fall?
Mar 18, 2021 · To properly take care of problems in the lawn, it is important to fully understand what we are trying to control. Spring lawn maintenance often includes a combination of the following: a pre- or post-emergence herbicide, overseeding, aerification, dethatching, fertilization, or an insecticide.
What should you treat your lawn with in the spring?
Spring Lawn Care StepsRake. Spring raking removes lingering fall leaves and grass blades that did not survive winter. ... Overseed. Fill bare or thin spots in the lawn by overseeding. ... Aerate. Vital for a truly healthy lawn, aeration is the solution for compacted soil. ... Dethatch. ... Weed. ... Fertilize. ... Water. ... Mow.
What should I fertilize my lawn with in the spring?
Check This Out: How to Build a Great Garden Fence By the way, a 20-5-10 lawn fertilizer is a good basic mix to use in spring. Slow-release lawn fertilizers break down their nutrients over a longer period of time, so you can wait longer between applications.Mar 22, 2022
Should I use fertilizer in the spring?
Most people apply a dose of lawn fertilizer in the spring, followed by one or two more applications during the growing season. If you are going to fertilize your lawn, do not do it too early in the season. The best time for that first application is late spring, just as the green grass is beginning to grow eagerly.Mar 10, 2022
When should I apply spring fertilizer to my lawn?
Apply early spring lawn fertilizer once between February and April, when your grass is starting to green up and begin to actively grow (around the time your lawn first needs to be mowed).
What to do when your lawn is bare?
Overseeding is the process of sowing seed over existing grass. Apply a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer (starter fertilizer) when you overseed.
When should I fertilize my lawn?
However, many experts recommend a lighter feeding in spring and a heavier one in late fall for cool-season grasses. Too much fertilizer in spring can lead to disease and weed problems. And, if you fertilized in late fall, then your lawn still has fertilizer to feed on in spring. The Spruce / David Karoki.
Why is my lawn getting compacted?
If your lawn gets heavy traffic, such as lots of running and playing in the same spot, this can cause soil compaction. If you see moss, which thrives on compacted soil, you can get rid of it, but you need to look deeper into its root cause. In this case, it's usually compacted soil that needs aeration .
When do crocuses return?
The Spruce / David Karoki. When spring is in the air, you'll see the first crocuses or daffodils return, marking the coming of the season. These signs should also signal to you that it's time to get your lawn ready for the growing season. The exact timing of these lawn care tasks depends upon the climate of your region.
Does power dethatching help with thatch?
It was once thought that a deep vertical raking with power equipment, dethatching, was necessary each year. Lawn care experts, however, now believe this causes more damage than good since it tears the roots of new grass plants. Provided the level of thatch is no more than 1/2 inch, this layer helps protect the soil and preserve moisture as it breaks down gradually and supplies nutrients. Lawns that are completely healthy may not ever require dethatching; a simple spring raking is quite sufficient. Ironically, over-fertilized lawns are most likely to experience thatch build-up that requires power dethatching.
What to do with dandelion greens?
For organic green thumbs who do not use chemicals on the lawn, you can harvest the dandelion greens and toss them in a salad. Other spring weeds to deal with include chickweed, white clover, wild violets, and others, though these usually make their appearance after the dandelions, in late spring and into summer.
Do you get rid of weeds in spring?
You do not get rid of all lawn weeds in the same manner. Depending upon whether a weed is annual or perennial, you will use a pre-emergent herbicide or a post-emergent herbicide, respectively.
What grasses are good for edging?
There are a few exceptions: Bermuda grass and creeping bentgrass like to keep a low profile, while Zoysia grass and Centipede grass enjoy a happy medium. No matter what, never remove more than one-third of the total grass blade length at a time. Edge beds. The soft soil in early spring makes edging beds a cinch.
How to prevent weeds in a garden?
Toss any weed-free material you might dig out onto planting beds as mulch or add it to your compost pile. Apply mulch. Once the soil has warmed, refresh your mulch. Shredded mulch provides a polished finish to planting beds, but it also helps prevent weed growth by blocking access to the sun.
How high should a lawn mower blade be?
Tall grass sinks deeper roots (which can seek out moisture) and crowds out weeds. Most turf types thrive with a 3- to 4-inch blade height, which usually corresponds to a mower’s highest setting.
What is the best time to take care of a lawn in spring?
Early spring lawn care ensures a fresh-looking, healthy lawn for the summer months and a lush and green lawn you can enjoy during the nice weather. As the growing season begins, your grass will be in prime condition to thrive come spring – if taken care of properly with correct spring lawn maintenance. When it comes to early spring lawn care, you ...
Why fertilize in spring?
Spring fertilization helps your lawn replenish and build a robust root system. The right time to apply fertilizer and the right type of fertilizer to use both depend on where you live and what the growing conditions are like, so be sure to follow the directions carefully.
Why is it important to have a good pH level?
Having the correct pH level for your lawn can help alleviate many lawn care issues in the long run. Lawn Doctor can professionally test your soil to help you determine which treatment is right for your lawn. Soil enrichment stimulates a stronger and healthier root system while improving the structure of your lawn’s soil.
What is grass cycle?
Grass-cycling is the process of leaving grass clippings on the lawn. Instead of bagging the clippings, let them spread out on your lawn to recycle grass elements back into the soil and to help your lawn retain more water. This process can help give your yard a boost at the beginning of the spring season.
Why enrich soil?
Soil enrichment stimulates a stronger and healthier root system while improving the structure of your lawn’s soil. The process also improves root penetration and soil water retention, making regular watering more effective. Soil enrichment can also reduce damaging salts from the root zone and improve soil aeration.
Can grass clippings cause thatch?
Grass clippings do not generally contribute to thatch buildup as they can be easily broken down. A small amount of thatch may be beneficial; however, excessive thatch can cause root problems. Between compacted soil and thatch, your lawn could need some relief as part of your spring lawn care.
What temperature does crabgrass need to germinate?
Eighty percent of germination will occur when the 0- to 2-inch depth soil temperature is consistently reaching 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can rolling lawns cause soil compaction?
Be careful rolling lawns. Following the recent rains, many areas are still very wet and rolling might actually do more damage than good. Rolling saturated soils can result in soil compaction. Rolling is popular this time of year to flatten out mole tunnels and lumps and bumps from frost heaving during winter, but it’s better to wait until the soils dry then to do it now and risk making a problem worse.
Can you fertilize crabgrass with preemergence?
Many early season fertilizer applications are made in combination with crabgrass preemergence herbicides. If you have fertilizer on hand and are thinking of making an application, wait until the turf has fully greened-up and grown enough that mowing is necessary. Soils are still very cold and until they warm, the turfgrass is not going to be actively growing nor taking up nutrients.
How to get your lawn to turn green?
It can be tempting to get out the lawn tools and attack your yard just as soon as it is warm enough to go outside without a coat on. Be patient, though, and let your lawn wake itself up gradually. If you spend too much time on your lawn before it is fully green, you run the risk of compacting the grass or killing new shoots before they have a chance to mature. Wait until your lawn has turned mostly green before you begin mowing or aerating in the spring.
Is spring lawn care more time intensive than fall?
Spring lawn care is much less time intensive than fall lawn care. If you prepared your lawn properly in the late fall, there should be very little for you to do once the weather begins to get warm again.