Early Spring Lawn Care: 6 Steps to Lush Green Grass

Finally, the time of year arrives when the days get longer, temperatures rise, and everything starts to turn green.

If your goal is to create a healthy and lush lawn this year, this is the most crucial time to plant the seeds, both figuratively and literally. Our expert team at Progress Garden is here to support you. Check out our tips below to turn your yard into a paradise.

CLEAN UP DEBRIS AND MELTED SNOW

Although you may want to move on to fertilizing and seed sowing, don't jump ahead. Before diving into the fun and rewarding tasks, there are a few essential steps to take. In a few months, you’ll be glad you made the time to take care of these things first.

First, check your yard. The pressure of debris or leftover snow can easily damage the growth of new grass. Additionally, any obstacle that blocks sunlight will prevent the grass from turning green. To avoid this, clean up fallen branches, leaf piles, pine cones, pet waste, and unmelted snow piles.

If your soil is muddy, walking or working on it can damage old grass and newly sprouted plants. Try to remove as much snow or debris as possible to allow the ground to dry out.

SNOW MOLD TREATMENT

After cleaning your lawn, you might come across a few unpleasant surprises. If you see circular patches of white or pink spider web-like fuzz covering areas of your lawn, don’t panic. Yes, this is snow mold, and yes, damage has already occurred.

There’s no need to rush to your local garden center and spend hundreds of dollars on fungicide. Fortunately, as temperatures rise, the mold will die. You can speed up the process by ensuring your grass is properly trimmed and dethatched. The warmer and drier your lawn is, the quicker the mold will clear up.

Keep in mind, if your lawn has been affected by pink snow mold, there’s a chance the roots in those spots may have dried out. If the grass has turned white or straw-colored, dethatch those areas and continue reading for reseeding steps.

REMOVE SALT AND CLEAN UP

If salt or debris has fallen on your lawn (such as from the street or driveway), wait until the ground temperature is above freezing. Once the temperature is above freezing, water the affected areas thoroughly. This will help wash the salt away and minimize damage.

If your lawn is already muddy and you want to avoid overwatering, there’s another effective solution. Visit your local lawn and landscaping store and ask for gypsum. This affordable mineral helps move sodium out of the soil and works to restore proper soil structure. If you're planning to fertilize, discuss it with lawn care experts. Many fertilizers contain gypsum, and you don’t want to overuse it. Your local specialists will help you find the best solution for early spring lawn care.

FERTILIZER

Fertilizing your lawn early in the spring is essential for a successful year, but it’s also one of the easiest places to make mistakes. Using too much chemical fertilizer can burn your grass, and using the wrong type is almost as bad as not using any fertilizer at all. Before spending money on fertilizer, consult with reliable landscaping experts. They can help you determine the type of fertilizer you need and how much to apply.

SEEDING PATCHY AREAS

After the snow melts, you may find a few dry spots in your lawn. If you've encountered pink snow mold and your grass has turned straw-colored, it's a clear sign it can’t recover on its own. You’ll likely want to clean up the area and reseed it.

Before you begin, remember that seeds prefer warm soil to germinate. Due to cooler soil temperatures, spring can make it harder for grass to grow. Be patient and follow these steps:

• Rake up old grass and soil to break up the dead area.
• Spread a layer of topsoil over the bare area.
• Sprinkle grass seed evenly over the topsoil.
• Gently rake to mix the seed with the soil.
• Lightly cover with peat moss or straw to retain moisture and deter birds.

Afterward, we recommend using a starter fertilizer to provide the nutrients the seed needs to grow. Be sure to water the area lightly throughout the season; don't overwater or let it dry out.

Keep in mind that crabgrass preventers kill all seedlings, including grass. If you’re reseeding bare spots and want to use a crabgrass preventer, either avoid the reseeded areas entirely or wait until the grass seedlings have fully germinated before applying the product.

PREPARE YOUR LAWN MOWER

Finally, make sure your lawn mower is ready for the spring and summer seasons. Before mowing for the first time, give it a tune-up and check the blades. You don’t want to realize you can’t mow until it’s too late in the season.

Although this can be a detailed process, don’t worry. The experts at Progress Garden have created a maintenance guide to help you get your lawn mower ready for the year.

As part of your seasonal maintenance, make sure your mower’s blades are sharp. You don’t want to ruin all your hard work by tearing up the grass with dull blades.