What to Do to Your Lawn in Spring: The Ultimate Renewal Guide
Mastering the transition from winter dormancy to spring vibrancy requires timing, the right tools, and a bit of science.
Spring is the season of awakening. As the frost recedes and the soil temperatures begin to climb, your lawn is poised for its most explosive growth phase of the year. However, what you do in these critical early weeks will dictate the health, color, and resilience of your turf for the entire summer.
Many homeowners make the mistake of rushing out with fertilizer too early or mowing too low. In this expert-level guide, we will break down exactly what to do to your lawn in spring, leveraging modern agronomy and the best lawn tools of 2025 to achieve golf-course results.
1. The Assessment and “Gentle” Cleanup
Before you fire up any machinery, you need to walk your property. Winter can be harsh, leaving behind debris, snow mold, and compacted soil. Your first task is a gentle cleanup.
Raking vs. Blowing
While heavy layers of wet leaves should have been removed in the fall (see our guide on how to prepare lawn for winter), you will likely find twigs, dead turf, and leftover debris. For deep cleaning, a rake is best as it lifts matted grass.
However, for efficiency on larger properties, you should utilize a blower. If you are in the market, check our reviews on the best lawn blowers. For professional-grade power, the Husqvarna 360BT is a standout choice for moving heavy, wet spring debris.
Checking for Disease
Look for circular patches of matted grass. This could be snow mold. If you spot pink or gray crusty circles, you may need to rake them out to let the soil breathe. If the problem persists, consult our guide on brown patch fungus treatment or how to treat lawn rust fungus.
2. Machinery Prep: Tune-Up Time
Nothing is more frustrating than a sunny Saturday morning when your equipment fails. If your lawn mower won’t start, it’s likely due to old fuel left in the carburetor.
- Oil Change: Start the season with fresh oil to protect the engine.
- Blade Sharpening: This is non-negotiable. Dull blades tear the grass, leading to brown tips and disease. Learn how to sharpen lawn mower blades properly.
- Spark Plugs: A cheap replacement that ensures consistent firing.
Is it time for an upgrade?
If you are tired of gas maintenance, 2025 is the year of the electric revolution. Read our comparison of electric mowers vs gas mowers. For those who want to automate the process entirely, we highly recommend looking into best robotic lawn mowers. The Worx Landroid and Kress robotic mowers are top-tier options that maintain a perfect height all season.
3. Soil Correction: Moss, Thatch, and PH
Spring is the time to correct the soil chemistry. If your lawn is acidic, it can’t absorb nutrients efficiently. A simple soil test will tell you if you need lime.
If you notice a spongy feel when walking, you might have thatch buildup. Thatch prevents water from reaching the roots. You may need to dethatch or learn how to remove dead grass from the lawn. Additionally, if you have damp, shady areas, mushrooms and moss can take over. Address drainage issues now by learning how to improve lawn drainage.
4. The First Mow
Wait until the grass is dry and about 3 inches tall. Your first mow should be high. Cutting too low early in the season exposes the soil to sunlight, which triggers weed seeds to germinate.
Whether you use a zero-turn vs lawn tractor or a reel mower, ensure you aren’t removing more than 1/3 of the blade length at a time. Also, consider your blade type. Read about mulching blades vs regular blades—mulching in spring returns valuable nitrogen to the soil.
5. Pre-Emergent and Weed Control
The most important chemical application in spring is the “Pre-Emergent.” This creates a vapor barrier in the soil that prevents crabgrass seeds from sprouting.
The Golden Rule: Apply pre-emergent before you see weeds. If you see them, it’s too late for prevention, and you’ll need the best lawn weed killer for post-emergent treatment.
6. Fertilization: Feeding the Awakening
Once the grass is actively growing (about 3 weeks after the grass turns green), apply a balanced fertilizer. Don’t fertilize too early, or you’ll force blade growth at the expense of root development.
Check our guide to Lawn Fertilizing and our top picks for the best lawn fertilizer. If you have a patchy lawn, be careful; heavy nitrogen can burn young roots.
7. Seeding (With a Warning)
Many people want to seed in spring. Caution: Standard pre-emergents kill grass seed too. If you must seed, you cannot use crabgrass preventer, or you must use a specific product compatible with seeding (Mesotrione).
If you have dead spots, follow our guide on how to revive a dead lawn. For uneven ground caused by winter freezing/thawing, see how to level a bumpy lawn.
8. Irrigation System Check
As late spring hits, hydration becomes key. Inspect your sprinkler heads for damage from snowplows or lawn mowers.
We’ve compared the major brands to help you choose replacements: Rainbird vs Hunter, Rainbird vs Orbit, and for smart controllers, Rain Bird vs Rachio. Smart controllers are excellent for spring as they adjust for the frequent rain showers, saving you money. For flower beds, consider sprinklers vs drip irrigation.
Essential Spring Lawn Care Products
Based on our testing and reviews, these are the top-rated tools on Amazon to get your lawn spring-ready.
Scotts Halts Crabgrass Preventer
The industry standard for stopping crabgrass before it invades. Apply in early spring.
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Greenworks 80V String Trimmer
Clean up your edges effortlessly. A top contender in our best lawn trimmers of 2025 list.
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Rachio 3 Smart Controller
Save up to 50% on your water bill by automatically skipping watering on rainy spring days.
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Sun Joe Electric Dethatcher
The easiest way to remove winter thatch build-up without breaking your back raking.
Check Price on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A: generally, no. Most weed killers (pre-emergents) stop all seeds from growing, including grass. You must usually wait 6-8 weeks between application and seeding. However, products containing “Mesotrione” are safe for seeding. See Lawn Care 101 for more details.
A: Spring rains can cause puddling. Aeration is the first step. If the problem persists, you may need to install a French drain or regrade the area. Check our guide on fixing waterlogged lawns.
A: You can start edging as soon as the grass begins to grow and creep onto sidewalks. A crisp edge makes even a messy lawn look maintained. Review our best lawn edgers to find the right tool.
A: Start high (3 to 3.5 inches). This shades the soil, preventing weed germination, and encourages deeper root growth. Never scalp a spring lawn.
Conclusion
Spring lawn care is a marathon, not a sprint. By following this checklist—cleaning up, tuning your equipment, managing weeds early, and fertilizing at the right moment—you set the stage for a summer of enjoyment. Remember to keep an eye on your irrigation, and as the heat rises, transition into our lawn maintenance tips for summer.
For further academic reading on turf management, we recommend the University of Minnesota Extension guide on spring care.
