Gardening Landscaping Lawn Care

8 Steps for Simple Spring Lawn Care

Lawn mower mowing grass

The Spruce / David Karoki

Lawn care is imminent when the first signs of spring are in the air, like the appearance of crocuses and daffodils. The exact timing of spring lawn care tasks will depend upon the climate in your region. But wherever you live, some general tasks need to be completed in the spring to foster a healthy lawn for the rest of the year. Here's a checklist of easy steps to get you off to a greener start.

Spring Lawn Care Steps

  1. Rake Gently

    Rake to prepare your lawn for new growth—a cordless leaf blower can also come in handy here. Early spring raking is done primarily to remove thatch that is deeper than 1/2 inch.

    What Is Thatch?

    Thatch is the layer of dead turfgrass from the previous year. If this layer becomes too thick (1/2 inch or more), it negatively impacts the health of your grass but a thin layer naturally helps protect the soil by preserving moisture and nutrients.

    Wait to rake until you see your lawn beginning to green up which signifies the grass blades are firmly rooted and the plants are actively growing. Rake gently since turfgrasses are somewhat tender and vulnerable in the early spring.

    Use a flexible leaf rake to gently help break up deep thatch. If you notice lots of grass blades stuck together, a lawn disease called snow mold may have taken hold. New grass may have difficulty penetrating these matted patches, and raking can solve the problem.

    Raking grass
    The Spruce / David Karoki
  2. Aerate if Necessary

    Aerate your lawn only if necessary to address soil compaction, which happens in parts of your lawn that experience heavy traffic. Compacted soil inhibits lawn growth. But spring aeration can also encourage and stimulate weed growth, especially crabgrass. Use core aeration during the spring only if you have an extreme problem with compact soil, otherwise use regular aeration tines.

    Aerate around Memorial Day after the weeds have begun to grow but before they go to seed. The aeration creates openings in lawn turf that allow water and air to penetrate the soil and reach the roots. Rent a lawn aerator at a home improvement or hardware store. Use a hand aerator for a small lawn.

    Tip

    If you aerate and dethatch your lawn, look for grubs to eliminate. These pests are pale and white and feed on lawn roots in the spring. Kill them with insecticides, neem oil, or milky spore powder.

    Aerating lawn

    The Spruce / David Karoki 

  3. Assess the Soil

    Send a soil sample to your local cooperative extension office to determine your soil's pH. Grass likes a neutral pH and soil that is too alkaline or too acidic can cause lawn problems.

    The acidity or alkalinity of soil is measured by the pH scale, with 7 representing perfectly neutral soil. Acidic soils have pH levels below 7, while alkaline soils measure higher than 7. For example, moss coating the ground can be a sign of acidic soil.

    Amendments are used to nudge the pH back to an optimal level. Here are common amendments:

    • Acidic soil: Apply garden lime using a fertilizer drop spreader to lift the pH of acidic soils but this is not a quick fix as liming takes hold gradually.
    • Alkaline soil: Apply a top dressing of compost or elemental sulfur to lower the pH of extremely alkaline soils.
    Testing the soil
    The Spruce / David Karoki
  4. Overseed

    Apply grass seed to fix a lawn riddled with bare patches due to dog spots, heavy traffic, or neglect. Overseed bare patches or over the entire lawn for thick, healthy growth. Though fall is the preferred time to overseed, you can do this in the spring but be prepared for some crabgrass to appear, as well.

    Apply a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer (starter fertilizer) when you overseed. Keep the new seed moist until it has sprouted and is actively growing. Five weeks after the grass germinates and sprouts, you can begin a normal fertilization routine using quick-release nitrogen fertilizer.

    Seeds on lawn
    The Spruce / David Karoki
  5. Fertilize

    Fertilize lawns organically by topdressing with compost or a mulching mower to chop lawn clippings into a nourishing source of nitrogen. Chemical fertilizers can be fast-acting but adhere to a schedule for fertilizing lawns which includes a spring feeding. Go light on the feeding because too much spring fertilizer can lead to disease and weed problems.

    Lawn being fertilized
    The Spruce / David Karoki
  6. Apply Pre-Emergent Herbicides

    Tackle weed prevention by applying herbicides. Apply chemical herbicides by spot-spraying weeds before the first mowing rather than over-spraying the entire lawn.

    Depending upon whether a weed is annual or perennial, you will use either a pre-emergent herbicide or a post-emergent herbicide. (You'll need to fight crabgrass with both herbicides to eradicate this weed.) Pre-emergent herbicides address weeds before their seedlings can even emerge by forming a chemical barrier on the soil's top layer that coats seeds and prevents them from growing.

    Avoid springtime core aeration and overseeding if you decide to use pre-emergent herbicides.

    Applying herbicides

    The Spruce / David Karoki

  7. Apply Post-Emergent Herbicides (Or Pull Spring Weeds)

    Eradicate stubborn dandelions by snapping off their flower stems before they produce seeds, digging them out by the roots using a weed extraction tool, or spraying a post-emergent herbicide formulated for broadleaf weeds.

    Pull other spring and summer weeds that emerge after dandelions, such as chickweed, white clover, and wild violets.

    Weed whacker on the lawn
    The Spruce / David Karoki
  8. Service the Lawnmower

    Start up your lawnmower. A stubborn start-up is a sign that it needs a tune-up. Sharpen the mower blade to ensure the blade will sever, not tear, your grass. Tearing results in blades with ragged brown tips.

    Tip

    When you are ready to mow your lawn, remember to mow high. Depending on your type of grass, mowing high will keep your grass healthy. Taller grass also chokes out weeds early on.

    lawn mower in yard
    Pixabay
FAQ
  • Should I put fertilizer on my grass in the spring?

    Yes, put down fertilizer on your grass in the spring about three weeks or so after you see your grass getting green. You can also add fertilizer after the second or third time you mow your lawn.

  • Do I rake up dead grass in the spring?

    Rake dead grass from dead spots when it's a little warmer out, such as in mid-April. Wait to rake until you see your grass becoming greener. Raking too early means you'll miss some dead spots.

  • Should I water my lawn in the spring?

    If you have plenty of spring showers, you won't have to water your lawn in the spring. You will be able to wait to water your lawn when the days become hotter and sunnier. If you are applying seed or other additives in the spring, read the directions to see when and if you need to water the lawn.