Spring Lawn Preparation for a Healthy Start

Winter can leave your lawn looking dull, compacted, and undernourished—but spring is the perfect time to bring it back to life. The key to a healthy, vibrant yard all year long starts with early-season preparation.

With proper spring lawn care, you’ll set the stage for greener grass, stronger roots, and a healthier outdoor space. Here’s everything you need to do to give your lawn the best possible start this season.

1. Start with a Clean Slate

Before you treat your lawn, it’s important to remove debris that’s built up over winter. Clear away fallen leaves, branches, and thatch so sunlight, air, and nutrients can reach the soil.

A clean lawn helps your grass breathe, prevents fungus, and allows new growth to emerge evenly across your yard.

2. Test and Revitalize Your Soil

Healthy lawns begin with healthy soil. After months of dormancy, soil can become compacted or unbalanced in pH.

Soil testing identifies which nutrients are missing, while soil amendments restore proper balance and structure. Adding conditioners and organic matter in spring strengthens your soil’s foundation for the season ahead.

3. Apply Pre-Emergent Weed Control

Spring is the ideal time to stop weeds before they appear. Pre-emergent weed control forms a protective barrier in your soil that prevents seeds from germinating—keeping your lawn clear of invaders like crabgrass and spurge.

Apply it early in the season, before temperatures consistently reach 55°F, for the best results.

4. Feed Your Lawn with Fertilization

Once the threat of frost has passed, your lawn needs nutrients to kickstart growth. Spring fertilization replenishes essential elements like nitrogen and potassium, giving your grass that rich green color and encouraging deeper roots.

Use a slow-release formula or schedule a professional treatment to ensure even, balanced feeding that lasts for weeks.

5. Aerate to Loosen Compacted Soil

If your lawn feels hard underfoot or water pools after rain, your soil is likely compacted. Core aeration opens up channels that allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the root zone.

Aerating in early spring helps your grass grow thicker, stronger, and more resistant to heat later in the year.

6. Overseed for a Fuller Lawn

If winter left behind thin or bare patches, overseeding can fill those areas with new growth. Pair it with aeration to help seeds take root quickly and establish uniform coverage across your yard.

This creates a dense, carpet-like lawn that naturally resists weeds and drought.

7. Water Smartly

Spring watering should encourage deep root growth, not shallow dependency. Water deeply and infrequently, giving your lawn 1–1.5 inches of water per week.

Avoid daily watering, which promotes weak roots and increases fungus risk.

8. Schedule Professional Pest Prevention

Spring is also when pests begin to emerge. Fire ants, grubs, and chinch bugs can wreak havoc if left unchecked.

A professional pest control barrier keeps these threats out of your lawn and away from your home—protecting both your turf and your family.

9. Maintain a Consistent Mowing Routine

Start mowing once your grass reaches about 3 inches tall. Keep mower blades sharp and follow the one-third rule: never remove more than one-third of the grass height in a single cut.

Consistent mowing encourages thick, healthy growth and prevents weeds from spreading.