1. Tune up your tools

Getting your tools ready is your first step because it makes sure everything is functioning properly and keeps you from going out and wasting money on plants that you plant too early that might get killed off by a late frost. (Guilty!) Sharpen your tools and blades, change oil and filters and do any small engine maintenance that you didn’t do in the fall.

Now If you’ve transitioned to mostly battery outdoor tools like I have, the maintenance is minimal but get your batteries charged up (Showcase the Stihl mower/tools), and get the tools cleaned up. 

2. Raking, Trimming & Dethatching

You can start trimming back some overgrowth on limbs and trees in early spring and focus on removing any damaged branches that occurred over winter. However, when it comes to raking – Don’t Start too early – bees and some other beneficial insects can overwinter in leaves and debris piles. Wait until the weather is consistently in the 50’s before you clean everything up. Raking can help get sun and nutrients to the soil but don’t do it too early. 

The same can be said for dethatching. Dethatching is the process of removing the thick layer of dead grass and organic material that accumulates around the base of your grass where it meets the soil. It can be beneficial to remove to allow more nutrients into the soil and to mitigate fungal growth but doing it too early in the year can actually harm your lawn’s chances of success. Instead of dethatching early, You can Use a leaf blower to help loosen up some of that matted grass and save your dethatching until later in the year. 

3. Compost

Once it’s warm enough to rake, all the materials you’re raked up from your lawn make great compost to get started for your garden. The dead leaves and small twigs make great additions to your food scraps and waste from the kitchen which will turn into valuable nutrients for your garden. 

I picked up a 50 gallon Compost Tumbler from Northern Tool which is pretty easy to assemble and is easy on your back because it’s elevated and on wheels so it’s easy to move around. 

4. Mowing and mulching

If you don’t want to rake up all those annoying leaves, cutting your lawn at around 2 – 2.5” in mid spring can actually add some nutrients to the soil and help fertilize your lawn. Don’t cut it too short early in the year as it can shock the grass before it’s fully awoken from it’s dormant state. 

5. Check Your Soil Temperature and/or Do a Soil Test

Before you move onto any other steps it’s best to make sure your soil is ready to handle any seeding or fertilizer. Use a thermometer to check soil temperature and make sure your soil is consistently in the 50 degree range. If you fertilize your soil too early, you risk wasting money because the soil isn’t capable of handling the nutrients until it warms up. High nitrogen fertilizers too early in the season can cause more damage than good. 

If you’re not a gardener and don’t have a soil thermometer you can also use a long screwdriver or sharp object to check the soil. Stick the screwdriver into the soil. It should be able to reach a depth of about 6 inches into the soil relatively easily and without tremendous effort. If you’re having trouble getting the screwdriver down that far, it still may be a little early to move on to the next steps. 

6. Aeration

You can aerate in Spring if you need to and you want to jumpstart your lawn but I personally think aerating in the fall months is best. Soil temperatures should be at least 55-60 degrees before you get started. Aerating loosens up the compaction of the soil and allows water and nutrients to get into the soil, but it also provides an opportunity for weeds to germinate easily and can actually dry out your lawn more.  

If your lawn was stressed out last fall, you might want to reconsider aerating in the spring and focus on some of the next things instead. 

7. Overseeding & Fertilizing

Once the soil temperatures have increased to about 60 degrees and up, now is the time to fertilize and overseed your lawn. If the soil is not warm enough to uptake the seeds or nutrients you’re throwing your money away. 

8. Don’t Use Weed Killers on your lawn before it’s woken from dormancy

Weed killers and crab grass blockers can actually inhibit the growth of your grass and specifically any new seed you’re trying to germinate. If you’re going to use these products, make sure you wait til late Spring once your grass has woken up and any new seed has germinated fully. 

9. Try Not to Roll Your Lawn in the Spring Unless you have to

Rolling your lawn Compresses it and Makes it tough for nutrients, light, and water to get to your soil. It’s not uncommon for there to be high and low spots in your lawn that occur over winter, but the best time to roll your lawn is in the fall months when it is soft, full of nutrients, and ready to go into dormancy over the winter months. 

10. Consider Going Drought Tolerant

If you’re continually battling to get the results you want from your lawn year-after-year, it might be time to consider doing some lawn alternatives to make your life easier and cheaper. There are a ton of options out there including synthetic turf which I’ve previously done a video on that I’ll leave a link to, as well as xeriscaping, and adding native plants and grasses to your lawn.

Thanks for checking out this article! I hope it helps you get your lawn ready for the warm summer days ahead! If you enjoyed this article, here are a few more you might like.

Do These 3 Things to Get Your Lawn Ready for Summer!

How to Install Sod

1.) Raking

Raking is a very important step in the spring lawn prep process. It should be the first task you tackle as it will help prepare your lawn for the following steps. Not only does raking gather the lingering mess from Winter (leaves/clumped grass/dog donations), but it will also help break up any “snow mold” your lawn may have accumulated. It is important to do a deep rake to help with dethatching, so get those arms pumping and start working on that summer beach bod. Rake when the ground is nice and soft and just after the grass starts waking up from the Winter season.

2.) Overseeding

Arguably, THE most important step to the look and health of your lawn is overseeding. Whether you have bare spots from plow damage or snow mold, early Spring is a good time to jump start your lawn repairs. Overseeding is also great for filling in your lawn, which creates optimal health. The best way for your lawn to fight disease and drought is to have a thick & healthy lawn (along with proper watering and a touch of fertilization). The best time to seed varies on what part of the country you live in, take a look at this article to see when is best for you. If you choose to seed in the Spring you will want to do earlier rather than later to give the seedlings time to mature. When you are ready, get your favorite bag of seed, follow the directions, and watch your lawn fill up! Pro Tip: Do not skimp out on watering!

3.) Fertilizing

When it comes to lush and beauty, fertilizer can be the icing on the cake for your lawn. If applied incorrectly, it can easily become that hot wheels car you step on in the middle of the night. Fertilizer applications, like overseeding, have great results during the early Fall season. With that said, fertilizer in the Spring time can catapult your lawn to early success. It’s all about timing, as if you apply too early it can disrupt the growth cycle. This is why I recommend waiting until the end of May to apply. Fertilizer companies will push to do it sooner and more often, but I’m a true believer in waiting until the growth cycle is complete. Apply the fertilizer later to help your lawn look great through the Summer months. When you do decide to fertilize, give your lawn a 1lb feeding of slow-release nitrogen. Here is a list of the best fertilizers.

There you have it, a short & doable check list to give your lawn the BEST chance at looking great this year. If you follow these steps every year, you will be on your way to neighborhood gold status. Make sure to get out there and pull those pesky weeds and areas of crabgrass. If you want to go above and beyond you can aerate in early spring and again in the Fall. Here are a few additional parting tips:

1.) Make sure your lawn is getting adequate water all season long. Here’s how to install a sprinkler system if you need to.

2.) Avoid mowing grass too low as it will make your lawn more susceptible to weeds and drought stress. Correct length for grass should be around 2 1/2″.

3.) Using a mulching mower when cutting the grass is a excellent source of fertilization for your lawn all year round.

For more landscape projects, check out these other articles.

How to Install Sod

Lawnmower of the Future?

Meet the Pro:

Shawn Gaesser is the owner of Gaesser Lawn Service, and has always had a passion for the outdoors. He started mowing lawns in the summer on the side, and his hard work combined with a focus on customer service allowed him to expand his business into a full-time operation. Gaesser Lawn Service has both commercial and residential customers throughout Western NY.

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