5 Tips for a Greener Lawn This Spring
March 15, 2024
Spring is the season when your lawn wakes up from winter dormancy — and how you treat it in these first few weeks sets the tone for the entire year. Here are five things we do for every lawn we service as temperatures start to climb.
1. Wait Until the Ground Thaws Before the First Mow
It’s tempting to get out there as soon as you see a green blade, but mowing on frozen or saturated soil compacts it and tears up roots. Wait until the ground is consistently thawed and the grass is actively growing before the first cut of the season.
2. Aerate Before You Fertilize
Compacted soil blocks water, air, and nutrients from reaching the root zone. A spring aeration — pulling small plugs of soil across the lawn — opens things back up. Fertilize right after aeration and you’ll see the nutrients actually reach the roots instead of sitting on top.
3. Apply a Balanced Slow-Release Fertilizer
Fast-release fertilizers give you a quick flush of green, but they can also burn the grass and promote disease. A slow-release nitrogen source feeds your lawn evenly over six to eight weeks, building root mass rather than just pushing top growth.
4. Overseed Bare or Thin Spots
Winter can leave thin patches, especially in high-traffic areas. Scratch the soil surface lightly, spread seed, and keep it moist for two to three weeks. Spring temperatures are perfect for germination — just make sure you’re using a seed mix suited for your region and sun exposure.
5. Set Your Mower to the Right Height
Most homeowners mow too short. Cutting grass to two and a half to three inches shades the soil, retains moisture, and crowds out weeds. It also reduces the stress on each blade so the plant can focus energy on root development rather than recovering from being scalped.
Want us to handle the spring startup for you? Get a free quote and we’ll put together a plan for your lawn.