Spring Yard & Garden Startup

Lawn cleanup, aeration, overseeding, fertilizing, bed prep, tool maintenance, and pest prevention — everything to do in the first warm weeks of spring.

Cleanup

• Rake winter debris and dead leaves from lawn areas as soon as the ground thaws — matted leaves block sunlight and encourage mold
• Cut back ornamental grasses and dead perennials to 3–4 inches — do not cut back until new green growth is visible at the base
• Remove winter mulch from perennial beds once nighttime temperatures are consistently above 35°F
• Edge lawn borders along sidewalks and garden beds using a half-moon edger — crisp edges make the whole yard look maintained

Lawn — Aerate, Seed, Fertilize

• Aerate cool-season lawns (fescue, bluegrass, ryegrass) in early spring or fall — rent a core aerator from Home Depot or Lowe's for $70–$90/day
• Overseed bare patches immediately after aerating — rake seed into contact with soil and keep moist for 2 weeks
• Apply a slow-release granular fertilizer (Scott's Turf Builder or equivalent) after the second mowing of the season — applying too early is wasted if roots aren't growing yet
• Do NOT apply pre-emergent crabgrass preventer if you're overseeding — it will also prevent your grass seed from germinating
• Set mower blade to 3–3.5 inches for cool-season grasses — higher mowing crowds out weeds and reduces water stress

Garden Beds

• Turn compost into garden beds to a depth of 6 inches before planting
• Test soil pH with a $15 soil test kit — most vegetables thrive at pH 6.0–7.0; adjust with lime (raise pH) or sulfur (lower pH) as needed
• Apply 3 inches of mulch around shrubs and in beds after soil has warmed — holds moisture, suppresses weeds, and moderates soil temperature

Tools

• Sharpen lawn mower blades — a dull blade tears grass instead of cutting it, creating entry points for disease
• Replace any cracked or split hose connections before first use — a $10 repair fitting is cheaper than a flooded basement

Pests

• Apply dormant oil spray to fruit trees and ornamentals before buds open — smothers overwintering insect eggs before they hatch
• Check for grub damage in late spring — brown patches that lift like carpet are a sign; apply GrubEx in May or June before grubs hatch