How to Prepare Your Lawn for the Spring

Seasonal lawn care in Minnesota requires a series of distinct activities performed at specific times to be effective. Thorough post-winter lawn care and a solid investment in spring preparation will deliver lush, velvety green results you will feel proud of.

With the balmy summer months on the horizon, find out how to prep a Minnesota lawn for spring and prepare to rake in compliments about your beautiful yard all year round!

When to Start Spring Lawn Care

Cool-season grasses switch into the growing phase when soil temperatures exceed 32 degrees Fahrenheit and reach optimal growth in soil temperatures between 50 and 65 degrees. When soil temperatures are above or below this zone, grass growth slows significantly. Spring provides a short window of opportunity when grass roots are receptive to amendments and treatments.

Spring Lawn Care 101: 9 Steps to Success

The nine steps below provide a timeline of activities required to tick all the post-winter lawn care boxes and thoroughly prepare your lawn to look its best.

1. Inspect for Signs of Snow Mold

As soon as the snow recedes, usually in March, homeowners should inspect their lawns for signs of snow mold infection. This affects all cool-season grasses and is more likely to occur in years when heavy snowfall has covered areas for long periods.

Snow mold can be recognized by mottled patches of white or tan dead leaf blades, which may be covered by a fuzzy fungal film. If you notice signs of this unsightly condition, here’s what to do:

• Clear any remaining snow: Remove any snow still on the lawn, as the fungus thrives in damp conditions.
• Rake the damaged areas: Wait until the grass is dry before raking to avoid damaging the roots. Use a soft rake to gently rake and remove the dead grass. This step opens up the area and lets air and sunlight penetrate the infected grass.
• Dispose of the infected grass: Toss the dead grass in a trash bag and disinfect your rake to prevent the infection from spreading to other areas of your lawn.

The area often looks better immediately but may result in thinned-out or bare spots. If it was caught early enough, this is no cause for concern, as there is still plenty of time to take steps to help your lawn make a full recovery.

2. Dethatch Your Lawn by Raking

Use a clean rake with flexible tines to gently rake the entire lawn. This process is known as dethatching, and it removes the layer of dead turfgrass and other organic matter that may be present and makes it easier for air and moisture to reach the grass roots. Be careful not to damage any new emerging green growth while raking.

3. Aerate Only if Your Soil Is Compacted

Unless the soil in your lawn is compacted, skip this step. Although grass thrives in aerated soil, unfortunately, so do weeds. In some yards, it may only be necessary to aerate high-traffic sections where the soil may have become compressed.

4. Perform a Soil Test

Before you fertilize your lawn, you need to know the pH of your soil. To do this, you can either use a home test kit or submit a sample for professional testing at your local county extension office. Your soil test results may indicate either a high or low pH level. Since grass thrives in a neutral pH, readings on either side should be amended before applying fertilizer to ensure optimal uptake.

Here’s what to do:

5. Overseed or Sod Bare Patches

If your lawn has snow mold or if there are bare patches in heavy traffic areas, go ahead and overseed those areas. Although fall is the optimal time to plant new lawns in Minnesota, overseeding bare patches in spring will still pay off to cover sparse areas. Keep an eye on new growth, and if it is not effective, it may be better to sod your lawn in those areas.

6. Fertilize Your Spring Lawn

All lawn fertilizers include combinations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), which are represented on fertilizer bags by an NPK ratio. All of these are vital nutrients that feed lawns, but too much may also encourage weeds, so apply them sparingly. Lawn fertilizers come in granular or liquid forms. Granular formulations are often slow-release, and application can take a little longer. Liquid lawn fertilizers quickly enhance greenness, but they can lead to patchy areas if not applied carefully and in the correct concentration.

7. Tackle Weeds From the Onset

Pre-emergent herbicides prevent weed seeds that have been lying dormant in the soil from germinating. If you have overseeded any areas on your lawn, only apply a pre-emergent herbicide after your new grass has developed strong roots. There are many methods to tackle pesky weeds, but some contain chemicals that can affect desirable plants or even groundwater. One of the safest solutions is to use professional lawn care service providers who use natural approaches to keep your lawn in tip-top, weed-free condition.

8. Water When Necessary

As the temperatures increase in spring, your lawn will require more water. If you are getting plenty of rain, it may not be necessary to water. Only take out the hose after several consecutive days of dry weather.

9. Mow New Growth

Lawn mowing in Minnesota typically only becomes necessary when your grass reaches around 4 inches in height, which may only be near the end of April or early May. Mow your spring lawn high first to encourage tall, healthy grass, and don’t forget to sharpen your mower blades before you start. Never remove more than a third of the grass blade’s length. Longer grass smothers emerging weeds, which thrive in bare patches.

Spring Into Action and Get Professional Lawn Care From Green & Black LLC

Summer lawns start in spring, but undertaking all the required tasks can be challenging for busy property owners and homeowners. Green & Black LLC provides comprehensive lawn and property maintenance services in several Minnesota areas. From lawn fertilization to grass cutting and everything in between, we are reliable experts who love what we do. To learn more about how we can help you maintain a pristine lawn, contact us today or request a free quote!