When To Start Lawn Care

Start lawn care in early spring when the weather warms up, and grass emerges from dormancy. Begin by testing the soil and applying pre-emergent crabgrass control before March or early April to prevent germination. Fertilize the lawn using slow-release nitrogen for steady growth. Address post-emergent weed control for winter annuals like Chickweed and Hairy Bittercress. Consider spring seeding for bare areas, and remember off-season lawn care can be beneficial. For expert care, contact a professional lawn service, especially during the spring season.

When to start lawn care

When looking to begin hiring a lawn service company, the best time of year is considered to be spring, specifically early spring. This is because as the weather begins to warm up and your grass will come out of dormancy, you may begin to notice some of what it is lacking. If spring is arriving and you are considering starting a lawn care regime, there are a few steps to take to prepare.

Test the Soil

The first step you will want to take is to have the soil tested. After soil testing, you may need to work to apply weed control before they get out of hand. This is because crabgrass (a common weed) will need to be treated before crabgrass germination, and this treatment may only last up to 120 days.

Pre-Emergent Crabgrass Control

Crabgrass seeds need sustained temperatures of over 55 degrees to germinate. This is why it is imperative to put down crabgrass control by March or early April. This one application should last long enough to avoid a second application and continue to help avoid a late summer crabgrass invasion.

Lawn Fertilization

Feeding the lawn is essential. Many people make the mistake of over-fertilization. This is typically done by using fast-release nitrogen in the spring. Instead, using slow-release nitrogen allows you to avoid blocking leaf growth. This provides a slow and steady green lawn.

Post-Emergent Weed Control

As much as we would like to avoid weeds at all costs, often they happen. When weeds occur in the early spring, they are typically known to be winter annuals. These weeds are fast-growing, and include:

  • Chickweed
  • Hairy bittercress
  • Henbit
  • Purple dead nettle

Through a mild winter, these will sprout up all over, and anywhere where grass does not exist. It is best to treat these with post-emergent control to avoid their competition with your lawn.

Spring Seeding

Fall time is typically seed time, but if the lawn has large, bare areas, then you may want to treat this. Because seeded areas cannot be treated with weed controls, it is essential to seed as soon as possible. We hope that the grass will not grow with weeds during the first six to eight weeks. Finally, the plan is that the grass will be mature enough to treat the weeds come spring.

Off-Season Lawn Care

Although spring is considered the best time for lawn care, hiring a lawn service when it is a bit off-season can benefit you as well. Especially if you are looking for easy scheduling, or to save a bit on price, off-season lawn care might benefit you.

when to start lawn care

Hiring a Lawn Care Professional

When attempting spring lawn care, it is typically in your best interest to contact a lawn care professional. If you are looking for a Lakewood Lawn Service we can offer a variety of services. Contact us today for more information.