After months of cold and snow, a green lawn is a welcome sight. The first few weeks of spring are important for getting your lawn on track for a healthy growing season. Get a jump on your spring lawn care with these simple-to-follow tips.

Tune up your mower

Now is the time to tune up your mower. Change the oil, air filter, and spark plug (safety tip: before you start, disconnect the spark plug wire so that the engine won’t start accidentally). Clean the mower’s top and undercarriage, especially if dirt and grass clippings have hardened on the blade. Fill the fuel tank and you’re ready to mow.

Clean and rake

Next, clean your yard. Pick up any branches, sticks, and trash the snow has hidden. Rake out dead grass. Compost dead grass and branches or dispose of them in your yard waste collection.

Fix bare patches

Take stock of bare spots. Rake and prepare the soil, sow grass seed, and water daily for at least two weeks. Do not mow newly seeded areas until the grass is at least two inches tall (better yet, wait until it’s the same height as the rest of your lawn).

Mow properly

Remember to mow high. Give your lawn a chance to establish deep, thriving roots that will nourish it all season long. Aim to keep your mower blade 2 ½ inches from the roots, and never cut more than 1/3 of the grass blade. And, be sure that you’re always mowing with very sharp mower blades.

Fertilize your lawn

Feed your lawn at the time of the first mowing. Rapidly growing grass needs the most nutrients. You can choose to apply a fast-acting organic fertilizer, or you can opt for longer-lasting organic garden manure. Manure is less costly though much more time-intensive to apply.

Edge and mulch

It’s easiest to edge and clean up beds when soil is soft in the early spring. Use a sharp garden spade or edger to cut a V-shaped trench two to three inches deep along the beds. Refresh mulch with two to three inches around (but not on top of) your plants. Be sure to include your trees in your mulching. Mulch depresses weeds, helps trees retain moisture, and protects them from mowers. Be sure the mulch near your trees is no more than two to four inches deep and ensure it isn’t too high against the base of the trunk. Proper mulching ends just before the base of the tree.

Prevent weeds

Consider applying a 3-in-1 turf builder if dandelions, crabgrass, and other weeds encroach on your lawn. Your mulch application should discourage weeds in your flower beds; inspect and weed as necessary.

Bust grubs

By late spring, grubs are chewing their way to the surface and feeding on lawns before they become beetles. If you have had a grub problem in the past, this is the time to treat them. The same advice applies if your neighbors have a grub infestation, as these pests don’t pay attention to property lines.

Care for your trees

Be sure to incorporate tree care into your spring lawn care routine! Inspect your trees for winter damage or rely on a certified arborist. Pruning in the early spring can head off problems, reducing the risk that a strong summer storm will take out a winter-damaged branch (or tree). Other options include cabling or bracing weaker limbs. If you’re considering adding new trees to your landscape, spring is the perfect time for planting.

From your trees to your lawn, your entire yard is connected. Building a healthy lawn now helps ensure a healthy growing system and proper balance in your yard all season long.

Advanced Tree Care combines top-notch equipment, cutting-edge technology, and well-trained staff to provide emergency tree removal and tree maintenance services. With a presence in nine counties and two states, we work daily to provide unparalleled customer service, safety, and efficiency—as well as the expertise to beautify your landscaping and community. Advanced Tree Care isn’t just our name—it’s also our purpose!