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Where Do I Start? A Homeowner’s Guide to Spring Lawncare


  1. It’s important to do a walk-around of your lawn at the beginning of Spring to check for damage, weeds, and other issues.
  2. Get your tools ready for the season by doing maintenance such as changing the oil, air filter, and spark plugs on your mower.
  3. After you’ve prepared, it’s time to start clearing debris and hand-pulling weeds. You should also apply a pre-emergent treatment and some super high-quality lawn food to boost your grass’ growth.

Spring is here, and with it comes the time for homeowners to start thinking about lawn care and maintenance. As temperatures begin to rise and snow melts away, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the task of caring for your lawn. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you get started!

Our first recommendation is always to take a nice long walk around your property. Here are a few things you should look out for when assessing your lawn.

Signs of Damage

The first thing you should look for when assessing your lawn is any signs of damage that may have occurred due to snow plows or other winter weather conditions. Check for areas where the grass has been uprooted or pushed aside, leaving an unsightly patch in its wake. If left unaddressed, these patches can grow into larger problems over time, so it’s important to fix them as soon as possible.

Weeds

It’s also important to check for any weeds that may have sprouted up over the winter months. Some weeds (e.g., bittercress) emerge before the grass does, so you’re likely to see these first thing in the Spring. If you spot any emerging weeds, use a weed killer or pull them manually by hand if they are small enough.

Snow Mold & Critter Tracks

Finally, be sure to check for any circular spots on your lawn that look like moldy bread – this could be snow mold! Additionally, keep an eye out for any “tracks” in your lawn where pesky critters (moles/voles/mice) may have enjoyed your beautiful lawn this winter! If you do spot anything out of the ordinary during your walk around your property, take a couple pictures and let us know – we can provide tips on how best to address any issues you find!

One of the best ways to kickstart your Spring lawn care is by aerating your lawn. Aeration is a process that helps break up compacted soil and allows oxygen, water, and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the ground. Not only does this promote healthier grass growth, but it also improves root development and helps to prevent grass from becoming weak or patchy. To ensure you’re getting the most out of your aeration process, be sure to use a core aerator—a tool with hollow tines that removes plugs of soil from the lawn—as opposed to a rake or spike aerator which can leave behind large chunks of soil. 

Fertilizing Your Lawn

Once you’ve gotten your soil ready for Spring, it’s time to start fertilizing your lawn. Fertilization serves two main purposes: first, it provides essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus which help create healthy green foliage; second, it prevents disease and pests from taking over. When choosing a fertilizer for your lawn, make sure to select one that is tailored specifically for the type of grass you are growing (warm-season vs cool-season). You should also take into account the weather conditions when applying fertilizer—for example, if you live in a drier climate then use a slow-release fertilizer so as not to overwhelm your plants with too much nitrogen during hot months. 

Mowing Your Lawn–Right Schedule, Right Length

Finally, don’t forget about regular mowing! While it may seem like an afterthought in comparison to other more “complicated” aspects of Spring lawn care such as aerating and fertilizing, mowing plays an important role in keeping up the health of both warm-season and cool-season grasses alike.

When mowing, keep an eye out for any weeds or dead patches and be sure to trim along edges so that they look neat and tidy. Try not to cut too short; keeping your grass at 2 1/2 – 3″ will help shade out weed seeds while giving roots an ample amount of protection against environmental stressors such as drought or extreme temperatures. Additionally, don’t forget to sharpen blades regularly throughout the season; this will help keep cuts clean instead of jagged which could cause further damage down the line.

Taking a walk around your property is one of the best ways to assess what kind of state your lawn is in after the long winter months. Look out for signs of damage from snow plows, emerging weeds, and tracks from critters who may have made themselves at home over Winter!

If there are any issues that need addressing this year – don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re here to help! With just a few simple steps and some good old-fashioned elbow grease – you’ll be well on your way towards having a lush green yard all summer long!

Happy Spring everyone!

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