Spring Lawn Care: Cleanup, Watering, Fertilizing & Mowing Timeline

Summer lawn success starts with spring patience. Rushing in too early causes more harm than good.

Spring Cleanup

Wait until soil is dry — walking on wet ground compacts it and damages tender roots. Then gently rake dead grass, leaves, and debris.

Watering

Don't water early. Wait for wilt signs (late spring/early summer). Early watering = shallow roots = summer failure. When watering starts: deep, infrequent, ~1 inch/week.

Fertilizing

Hold off on heavy spring feeding. Tender new growth scorches in summer heat. Light balanced slow-release only if lawn is weak. Exception: warm-season grasses (St. Augustine, etc.) — fertilize at green-up in mid-late spring.

Mowing

Start when needed, on dry ground. Never scalp. First mow: light trim if shaggy, then resume ⅓ rule. Sharpen blades first.

Aeration & Thatch

Mid-spring aeration if needed. Dethatch in fall, not spring.