Do's & Don'ts of Early Spring Lawn Care to Get Lawn Green

Spring will be here before you know it. Make sure your lawn is ready to wake up from its winter slumber. Caring for your lawn in the spring isn’t as simple as just mowing and watering. There are some important do’s and don’ts to ensure your yard thrives all season long. Let’s dig into the best practices—and pitfalls to avoid—when tackling spring lawn care.

DO: Clear Winter Debris

Start by giving your lawn a clean slate. Remove any leaves, sticks, or other debris that’s accumulated over the winter. Clearing this clutter allows your grass to breathe and allows sunlight to reach the soil. Plus, it makes the rest of your lawn care tasks easier.

DON’T: Skip This Step! Jumping straight into mowing or fertilizing without cleaning up first will compact debris into your lawn. The grass will not be able to breathe. Leaving the debris also pests and diseases to invade your grass.

Home Depot (2024)

• Before your first mow of the year, rake your yard thoroughly to loosen matted grass clumps and alleviate thatch. Thatch consists of a layer of leaves, roots and dead grass blades that build up between the live grass and the soil, which can keep water and air from reaching the grass.
• Spring tine rakes are recommended for the first rakes of the season.
• Do not rake when the soil is soft or muddy, which makes you more likely to pull up healthy grass crowns.

Let us do the hard labor for you. Hire us for a spring cleanup service.

DO: Test Your Soil

Healthy soil is the foundation of a beautiful lawn. Test your soil’s pH and nutrient levels to determine what it needs. Many garden centers and extension offices offer affordable testing kits. Once you’ve got the results, amend your soil accordingly with lime, sulfur, or fertilizer.

DON’T:Guess What Your Lawn Needs! Adding fertilizer or other treatments without knowing your soil’s condition leads to over-fertilization, which harms your grass and the environment.

DO: Aerate If Necessary

If your lawn’s soil feels compacted, aeration will work wonders. Aerating involves creating small holes in the soil, allowing air, water, and nutrients to reach the grass roots. This is especially helpful in areas with heavy foot traffic or clay soils.

DON’T:Aerate Too Early! Wait until the soil has warmed up and the grass has started growing. Aerating too early disrupts the grass’s recovery from dormancy.

When the weather warms up a little more, call us about our lawn aeration service.

DO: Install Sod for a Quick Fix

Installing sod is an excellent way to quickly fix bare patches in your lawn. It provides immediate coverage and helps prevent soil erosion while greening up your lawn. Make sure to properly prepare the soil beneath the sod to ensure a smooth, lasting result.

DON’T:Overlap Or Leave Gaps! Avoid overlapping the sod pieces or leaving gaps between them. This causes uneven growth and weakens the overall lawn structure. Additionally, don’t install sod on hard, compacted soil without aerating first. Doing so will prevent the roots from establishing properly.

Read about the best 3 grass types for North Texas.

DO: Fertilize Smartly

Spring is a great time to feed your lawn with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. There are many benefits of using slow-release fertilizer such as, providing your grass with the nutrients it needs.

DON’T:Over-Fertilize! Applying too much fertilizer leads to excessive growth. Not to mention, it makes your lawn more susceptible to pests and diseases. It also causes harmful runoff into nearby waterways.

DO: Prevent Weeds

Weeds like crabgrass love to make an appearance in the spring. Apply a pre-emergent herbicide to stop them before they sprout. Be sure to follow the product’s instructions for best results.

DON’T:Apply Pre-Emergents After Weeds Have Sprouted! Pre-emergent herbicides won’t kill existing weeds, so timing is crucial. Once weeds have sprouted, you’ll need a post-emergent herbicide instead.

DO: Tune Up Your Lawn Mower

A well-maintained mower is essential for a healthy lawn. Sharpen the blades, check the oil, and make sure everything is in working order before the first mow of the season.

DON’T:Use Dull Blades! Dull mower blades tear grass rather than cutting it cleanly, leaving it vulnerable to disease and stress.

Owens & Lang (2021) Do not wait until the first cutting to be sure that your mower is tuned up and ready for the year. 

DO: Set Your Mowing Height

When you start mowing, keep the grass at a height of about 2.5 to 3 inches. Taller grass develops deeper roots. Deep roots make grass more drought-resistant and better at crowding out weeds.

DON’T: Mow Too Short! Scalping your lawn weakens the grass and invites weeds to take over. Avoid cutting off more than one-third of the grass height at a time.

DO: Water Wisely

If spring rains are sparse, water your lawn deeply but infrequently. This encourages deep root growth, which helps your grass stay resilient during dry spells.

DON’T:Overwater! Too much water leads to shallow roots, fungus, and other problems. Your lawn needs about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, including rainfall.

Final Thoughts

Spring lawn care is all about balance—giving your grass the care it needs without going overboard. By following these do’s and avoiding the don’ts, you’ll be set up for a season of success. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or just starting out, these tips will have your yard looking lush in no time. Happy spring lawn care!

FAQ: Early Spring Lawn Care – Do’s and Don’ts

Q: What should I do first to prepare my lawn for spring? A: The first step is to clean up your lawn. Remove any fallen leaves, twigs, and debris to ensure your grass has room to breathe. Raking gently will help the soil stay aerated and prevent mold growth.

Q: Should I mow my lawn in early spring? A: Yes, but wait until your grass has begun to grow. Early spring mowing helps remove the dead top layer, allowing sunlight to reach the new grass. Be sure to set your mower blade high to avoid scalping the grass.

Q: Is it time to fertilize my lawn in early spring? A: Early spring is a great time to fertilize, but don’t overdo it. Choose a slow-release fertilizer with a balanced mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Apply it lightly and evenly, as too much can burn the grass and encourage weed growth.

Q: When is it safe to apply pre-emergent weed control? A: Apply pre-emergent weed control as soon as the soil temperature reaches about 55°F (13°C) consistently. This will help prevent weeds like crabgrass from sprouting, but be sure to avoid using it on areas you plan to overseed.

Q: Should I aerate my lawn in early spring? A: Aeration can be beneficial in early spring, especially if your lawn has compacted soil or heavy traffic. It allows water and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the soil. However, avoid aerating if your lawn is still too wet, as this can cause additional compaction.

Q: What should I avoid doing in early spring? A: Avoid over-fertilizing, as it can cause rapid growth that leads to weak grass. Don’t mow your lawn too short—this stresses the grass and makes it more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Also, be careful not to use harsh chemicals too early in the season; they can be too aggressive for delicate spring growth.

Q: How often should I water my lawn in early spring? A: Water your lawn deeply but infrequently—about once a week—depending on rainfall. Early spring tends to have more moisture in the air, so avoid over-watering, which can lead to shallow roots.

References:

Home Depot. (2024, February 12). Spring lawn care tips. Home Depot. https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/spring-lawn-care-tips/9ba683603be9fa5395fab90c968dd9f

Owens, B. & Lang, K. (2021, May 14). Spring lawn care. South Dakota State University Extension. https://extension.sdstate.edu/spring-lawn-care

M Valdivia

As a seasoned content manager with a background in education and human development, I bring a unique perspective to lawn care and landscaping topics. For the past four years, I've specialized in creating clear, helpful, and research-backed content for homeowners across North Texas and beyond. While I don’t have a landscaping degree, I collaborate closely with lawn care professionals to ensure every article is accurate, practical, and easy to follow.