What we’re noticing:

  • A unique Spring. Fake Spring with highs near the 90s shot a jolt into the lawns but we’ve been below average since then with plenty of overnight freezes so we’re basically back to a restart just last week. I’ve seen plenty of healthy dandelions though (not on our lawns 😊) and now alive and growing grass.
  • We’re monitoring our Growing Degree Day trackers that have some indicators of lawns being ahead of last year but they’ve never accounted for 88* followed by freezes. We’ll see…
  • Varying areas of lawn dampness similar to all Springs.

What we’re doing:

  1. We transitioned into full production last week. We’re applying our Spring fertilizer, broadleaf weed control and first round of crabgrass preventer. It’s a few days later start than last year due to the wet weather and we’ll be at it through May.
  2. We’re getting equipment ready for our Spring renovation season. We plan to start the week after next. We’ve been waiting for the overnight temps to be in the 50s so the grass will germinate and that’s the forecast. Lawns took a beating last summer (driest growing season since 1910) not to mention the two years prior were rough too. I think we’ll be busy this year.

What you can be doing:

  1. Ensure your mower is ready to rock! The cool weather can’t last forever so lawns will start growing (I predict in exactly a week). Ensure your oil is changed, joints are lubricated, and your blade is sharp.
  2. Lightly rake if needed. Dethatching is not good. Thatch has a purpose and dethatching hurts your lawn especially this time of year. Read More. There may be some dead grass blades from the winter or vole damage to clean up and a light rake is all that’s needed.