How to prep your lawn for summer in 3 steps: A guide to late spring lawn care
Lifestyle
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9:00 AM on Monday, May 4
By Jackie Dowling for TruGreen, Stacker
How to prep your lawn for summer in 3 steps: A guide to late spring lawn care
Late spring is a turning point for lawns across much of the United States, when grass moves beyond its early-season recovery and settles into a period of steady, vigorous growth ahead of summer. What you do now can influence how your lawn looks for months to come.
TruGreen breaks down the three essential steps to help your turf thrive through the rest of spring and into the summer months.
Step 1: Watering
Adequate water is essential to a healthy lawn, but how do you know how often to water, how much to water and when?
Water requirements vary by grass type, soil, and climate conditions. Overwatering is one of the most common lawn care mistakes and can lead to shallow root systems and fungal disease.
Most lawns need about 1–2 inches of water per week. For areas of the country that see steady rainfall throughout spring, extra watering may not even be required. At the same time, underwatering stresses turf and reduces density, allowing weeds to establish.
As for timing, morning watering is optimal.
“The best window for watering is between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., when temperatures are mild, winds are calm and the sun has not fully intensified,” said Brian Feldman, senior director of technical operations at TruGreen.
Morning watering helps grass retain moisture longer and prepares it to withstand the day's heat, according to Feldman Midday heat causes up to 40% of water to evaporate before it even reaches the root zone, wasting resources and leaving turf thirsty when it needs hydration most. A simple rain gauge or empty tuna cans placed around your yard can confirm when you have hit the target.
Step 2: Mowing
When spring is in full bloom and the lawn has had a few weeks to grow, it is tempting to get outside and mow that fresh grass. However, cutting it too short in an attempt to reduce mowing frequency may cause turf damage during this fragile growth stage.
Before mowing, homeowners should always:
- Clear the yard of debris, including piles of old leaves, sticks or branches that may block the grass from sunlight or damage the mower.
- Check the mower blades. Dull blades will damage turf. It is important to keep them sharp, especially at the start of a new season.
Once your yard is clear and your mower is running efficiently, resist the urge to cut the grass too short. Instead, follow the one-third rule: Mow only when the grass has grown enough to trim just the top third. So if your lawn reaches three inches, take off about one inch. Cutting more than that can stress the grass, leaving it vulnerable to heat damage and invasive weeds.
Step 3: Soil health and maintenance
Late spring is the time of year to pay extra attention to turf soil to ensure your lawn is strong and healthy enough to endure the summer months. However, the specific steps you should take, including fertilization and aeration, largely depend on the climate and type of grass that grows in your region of the country:
States Favoring Cool-Season Grass Growth
Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Northern California, Ohio, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
States Supporting Both Warm- and Cool-Season Grass
Tennessee, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas
States Predominantly Growing Warm-Season Grass
South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas
For warm-weather grasses, this is the ideal time to aerate your lawn, the process in which small holes are made in the lawn to reduce soil compaction, improve air and water flow and encourage new growth.
“Late spring to early summer is the best time to aerate warm-season grasses, including
Bermuda, Zoysia and St. Augustine grass,” Feldman said. “This is the time of year when they are actively growing and can recover quickly. For cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass, Fescue and Ryegrass, wait until later in the year.”
Proper fertilization of your soil is also a vital step in soil maintenance. This aids in new growth and works to keep your turf more resilient.
“Late spring fertilization gives your lawn a critical nutrient boost as it comes out of dormancy,” Feldman said. For warm-season grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia, the ideal time is mid-May to early June, according to Feldman. For cool-season grasses like Tall Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass, spring and autumn fertilization is best. Consistent fertilization promotes new blade and root growth, increases grass density to crowd out weeds naturally, and improves drought and disease resistance.
Late spring lawn care doesn’t need to be complicated; it really comes down to a few smart habits working together. Water deeply but not excessively, mow with care, and give your soil a little attention. Follow these three steps and you’ll set your lawn up for stronger roots, thicker grass, and a better shot at handling whatever summer throws its way.
This story was produced by TruGreen and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
