Jumpstart Your Lawn: Essential Early Spring Lawn Care Tips

As winter fades and temperatures begin to rise, now is the perfect time to start preparing your lawn for a lush, green season ahead. Taking the right steps in early spring can set the foundation for a healthy lawn, helping to prevent weeds, strengthen root systems, and ensure thick, vibrant grass. Here are some essential early spring lawn care tips to get your yard off to a great start.

1. Weed Control

A thick, healthy, well-maintained lawn is always the best line of defense against weeds, because it won’t leave much room or resources for anything else to grow in its space. At Weed Man, your weed control program is specially tailored to the needs of your lawn. We use top-of-the-line weed control products, safely applied in the hands of our trained professionals. Our equipment is carefully calibrated to apply the proper amount of product, and we time our contact treatments during peak germination periods of the target weeds, like dandelions, clover, bindweed, thistle, and plantain. 

To treat troublesome crabgrass, your trained and certified Weed Man technician will apply a pre-emergent herbicide early in the season. Pre-emergent treatments create a barrier that stops weed seeds from germinating, reducing competition for nutrients and allowing your grass to thrive. Timing is key—apply pre-emergents when soil temperatures reach around 50-55°F, typically in late winter or early spring.

 2. Fertilization

Feeding your lawn the right nutrients early in the season helps promote strong root development. With your lawn’s nutrition in mind, we use a high-percentage, slow-release granular fertilizer that is blended exclusively for Weed Man—that means you can only access it by becoming one of our valued customers! Our premium, golf course-quality mixture gives your lawn a boost from the get-go, and then continually feeds it throughout the next several weeks and months. With a Weed Man lawn care program, we worry about the perfect timing so you don’t have to. We start in the spring and come back at your lawn’s ideal intervals all throughout the growing season.

3. Clear Debris and Prepare the Lawn

After months of winter dormancy, your lawn may have accumulated leaves, twigs, and other debris. Raking or lightly dethatching helps improve air circulation and allows moisture and nutrients to reach the soil. This step is also essential for preventing fungal diseases that thrive in damp, compacted conditions.

4. Consider Aeration and Overseeding

If your lawn has compacted soil or thin areas, aeration and overseeding can be a game-changer. Aeration reduces soil compaction by creating small holes that improve air, water, and nutrient penetration. Overseeding fills in bare spots with fresh grass seed, leading to a denser, healthier lawn. The best time for aeration and overseeding depends on your grass type—cool-season grasses benefit most from early spring treatments.

5. Begin Regular Mowing and Watering

As your grass begins to grow, establish a consistent mowing schedule. Keep your mower blades sharp and follow the one-third rule: never cut more than one-third of the grass height at once. Proper mowing encourages deep root growth and reduces stress on the lawn. 

Early spring is also a good time to start monitoring your watering schedule, ensuring your lawn receives about 1 inch of water per week. (Check out our Ultimate Guide to Watering Your Lawn for more tips!)

6. Plan for Professional Lawn Care Services

Weed Man is here to help you achieve a lawn care win! With professional services including weed control, fertilization, insect control, aeration, and more, we’re here to help maintain a thriving lawn throughout the season.

Follow these spring lawn care tips, and contact us today to get a head start on your greener, weed-free lawn!