Spring is one of the best times of year to care for your lawn. Once the harsh winter weather conditions have passed and the temperature and sunlight increases, grass begins to grow again.
With warmer temperatures, moist soil and lots of daylight it makes it the perfect time to repair, feed and improve your lawn.
In this guide, we share everything you need to know when caring for your lawn in spring.
Remove an debris or weeds from your lawn
If you’ve followed our winter lawn care guide then your lawn should be free of debris, but if not. Before anything else make sure to remove any leaves, twigs or any other debris from your lawn. This lets you assess the situation of your lawn, identify any issues but when repairing it allows the sunlight and air reach your grass, preventing damage and promoting growth.
As the temperature rises, you may notice weeds also actively growing. Spring is the perfect time to deal with them before the problem becomes worse. Remove isolated weeds by hand and for more widespread weeds, use a selective lawn weedkiller designed to remove weeds without damaging actively growing grass. Make sure to apply directly as instructed and only apply on the weeds that are actively growing.
Avoid mowing after appling weed killer as suficient leaf growth is required for most weed treatments to be effective.
Mowing your Lawn in Spring
Spring weather can be unpredictable, which means what your grass is doing can vary from year to year, it may start growing early spring or it may not have started growing at all yet.
Don’t start mowing your lawn until your grass does begin to grow. Once you do start mowing we recommend setting your mower's blade high and only removing the tops of the grass. Cutting too short can stress the grass and weaken it, which can be damaging if the weather drops cold again.
As temperatures rise and the growth becomes more frequent, you can begin to lower the cutting height and mow more regularly. Try not to ever cut more than one third of the grass height. Typically, by late spring you’ll be mowing your lawn once a week if not more.
Aerate and scarify your Lawn (if needed!)
If you have lots of moss, dead grass or thatch on your lawn then we recommend scarifying, but lightly. This allows more air, water and nutrients to reach the soil and promote healthy grass growth. Mow the lawn before scarifying and once complete add a lawn feed and seed to any bare or thin patches.
Once scarfied if your lawn is feeling compacted after winter, we recommend aerating the soil with a garden fork or lawn aerator to create holes. Do not aerate any areas that are waterlogged or soft.
Apply a Spring Lawn Feed
Once spring rolls around your lawn is most likely in need of some extra nutrients to stay healthy and keep growing. We recommend applying a specially formulated spring lawn feed. These typically have higher levels of nitrogen as it helps create stronger leaf growth and help create a thick, green lawn.
Make sure to follow the specific instructions of the lawn feed (as too little may not be effective and too much can burn your lawn), but typically you want to apply it while the soil is moist and the grass is actively growing. You may find that you need two applications in spring.
Overseed and Repair your Lawn
Mid spring provides the optimum conditions for sowing grass seed, whether you’re overseeding and repairing patches or even growing a full new lawn, spring is the time to do it.
Mow the lawn, remove any debris and moss and losen the soil. Then choose a lawn seed mixture suitable for you lawn and sow the seed. Once sown, gently rake your lawn to ensure the seed is in the soil and then gently firm down the area. Keep the area moist while it is actively growing.
Avoid mowing until it's established and during the first mow only remove the top of the grass.
Keep Watered during Dry Weather
Spring rainfall is usually reliable and frequent, however, if it is a particularly dry season make sure to keep your lawn well watered (especially new grass!). Water early in the morning or late at night to reduce water loss through evaporation. Deep watering rather than light, frequent watering can encourage the roots to grow further into the soil making it more resilient.
Spring Lawn Care FAQs
Can I repair my lawn at any time during spring?
The best time to complete major lawn repairs is usually during early to mid-spring, once the soil has warmed and the grass is actively growing.
March and April are generally suitable for aerating, scarifying and overseeding, provided the lawn is not frozen or waterlogged. Repairs can continue into May, but warmer and drier weather may mean newly sown areas require more frequent watering. Avoid carrying out intensive work if your lawn is waterlogged, during a frost, or during unusually hot and dry conditions.
In short, what do I need to do to my lawn in spring?
In early spring, clear winter debris, begin mowing carefully and assess the lawn for moss, compaction, weeds and damaged areas.
During mid-spring, focus on feeding, aerating, scarifying, weed control and overseeding while conditions are suitable for recovery and germination.
By late spring, mow regularly, maintain clean edges, control weeds and water newly seeded areas. Complete any remaining repairs before warmer and drier summer weather arrives.
Should I scarify my lawn every spring?
No. You should only scarify when there is enough moss or thatch to prevent water, air and nutrients from reaching the soil.
Light thatch can help protect the soil, while unnecessary or overly aggressive scarification can weaken healthy grass. Only scarify when the lawn is actively growing and able to recover.
When should I apply spring lawn feed?
Apply spring lawn feed once the grass is actively growing and the soil is moist. Avoid applying it to frozen, waterlogged or drought-stressed ground.
Always use the recommended application rate and follow the product instructions regarding watering, mowing and repeat applications.
Does spring lawn care prepare the grass for summer?
Yes. A well-maintained lawn in spring will be thicker, healthier and better prepared for increased use, warmer temperatures and periods of dry weather.
However, spring care does not remove the need for summer maintenance. Regular mowing, sensible watering and monitoring for weeds, pests and disease will help keep your lawn healthy throughout the summer.
