When the snow finally melts and the sun starts warming things up again, it’s tempting to ignore the yard and head straight to the patio. But trust us—your lawn noticed winter. And it’s going to need some attention before it’s ready for lawn chair lounging and barefoot afternoons. Let’s talk about the five Spring Lawn care must-do’s —especially if you want to get ahead of thinning turf, weeds, and all the usual suspects.
1. Start with a Good Raking
Spring cleanup isn’t glamorous, but it’s essential. A proper raking clears away all the leftover debris, dead grass, and matted thatch that’s been suffocating your lawn since November.
Not only does raking improve airflow and sunlight penetration, it also helps you spot trouble areas early on—bare patches, compacted soil, or signs of mold. If you’re planning to overseed or apply a spring fertilizer (more on those in a minute), this is step one. Don’t skip it.
Think of raking as the reset button for your lawn—it clears the way for everything else.
2. Tackle Those Bare Spots with Overseeding
Once you’ve raked and identified any thin or patchy areas, it’s time for overseeding. This simply means spreading new grass seed over existing turf to fill in the gaps and boost density.
Overseeding in early spring gives your lawn a head start before the heat of summer sets in. Just remember: seed needs soil contact, moisture, and warmth to germinate. So loosen the soil, apply your seed, and water it consistently.
Pro tip: It’s always best to wait until the overnight temperatures stabilize at around 10 degrees Celsius to ensure that the grass seeds don’t get any shock of frost and stunt their growth.
3. Feed with a Quality Fertilizer
After a long winter nap, your lawn is waking up hungry. A good spring fertilizer is like handing your turf a healthy breakfast—it fuels growth, greens things up, and strengthens roots.
Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer that delivers nutrients steadily over time. If you’re working with a professional lawn care company (like us at Dr. Green), spring fertilizer is usually included in your early-season treatments.
And don’t overdo it—more fertilizer doesn’t mean faster growth. It just means more mowing and the risk of burning your grass. Stick to the recommended rate and let the fertilizer do its thing.
4. Get Ahead of Weeds
Weeds don’t wait. The minute temperatures rise, they’re already plotting their takeover.
If you’ve battled thistles, dandelions, or clover in the past year, trust us—you want to be proactive. A professional weed control service not only knocks out existing weeds, but when it’s combined with a seeding you’ll end up crowding out those pesky weeds!
Try to find a lawn care company that understands how best to control weeds using the products we are legally allowed to use here in Ontario. Fiesta weed control can be temperamental; but with the right approach and lawn care plan you’ll be saying goodbye to those weeds and hello to fresh, cool green grass!
5. Sharpen Your Lawn Mower Blades
Before you start your first mow of the season, check your mower blades. Dull blades tear grass instead of cutting it cleanly, which stresses your lawn and leaves it more vulnerable to disease.
A sharp blade = a clean cut = a healthier, better-looking lawn.
While you’re at it, set your mower to the proper height (around 2.5–3 inches for most cool-season grasses). And remember the golden rule: never cut more than one-third of the grass height at once. Your lawn has feelings too.
Ready for a Great Season?
Spring is the season to set your lawn up for success. A bit of effort now—raking, overseeding, spring fertilizer, and the right weed control service—pays off all summer long. Whether you’re going full DIY or calling in the pros, a smart spring strategy makes all the difference.
And if you’re not quite ready to trade your Saturday mornings for yard work? We get it. That’s what we’re here for. At Dr. Green, we’ve been helping homeowners grow greener lawns since 1985, and our Spring lawn care services are built to give your lawn the healthy kickstart it needs, without all the hassle.
