Getting Your Lawn Ready for Spring

Spring has officially arrived today and the first signs of the season are starting to show up in warmer weather, crocuses, and of course, bears. After a winter that brought its fair share of snow, ice, and temperature swings, your lawn has likely taken a bit of a beating.

The good news is that early spring is the perfect time to help your lawn recover and set it up for a healthy growing season. A little attention now can make the difference between a thin, patchy yard and a thick, green lawn you’ll enjoy all summer. Here are a few simple steps homeowners can take this time of year.

Start with a Soil Test

Before you rush out to buy fertilizer or grass seed, it’s smart to start with a soil test. Many homeowners skip this step, but it’s one of the most important things you can do for your lawn.

Grass grows best in soil with a pH between about 6.0 and 7.0. If your soil is too acidic or too alkaline, your lawn won’t absorb nutrients properly, no matter how much fertilizer you apply.

A simple soil test will tell you exactly what your lawn needs. Test kits are available at most garden centers and hardware stores, and some homeowners choose to have their soil professionally tested for even more detailed results.

Clean Up Winter’s Leftovers

Once the snow has melted and the ground begins to dry out, it’s time to clean up the yard. Winter tends to leave behind plenty of debris like fallen branches, leftover leaves, pine needles, and other material that can smother new grass growth.

Start by removing larger debris, then give the lawn a light raking. Even if the lawn looks fairly clean, raking helps loosen the layer of dead grass and organic material known as thatch.

A small amount of thatch is normal and even helpful in winter, but too much of it can block sunlight, water, and nutrients from reaching the soil.

Consider Aerating the Lawn

If your yard sees a lot of foot traffic or has heavy soil, spring can be a good time to aerate. Aeration involves creating small holes in the lawn that allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the grass roots more easily.

Over time, soil becomes compacted, especially after months of snow sitting on top of it. Aerating loosens the soil and encourages stronger root growth, which leads to healthier, more resilient grass.

Homeowners can rent an aerator for the day or hire a lawn care professional to take care of it.

Get Ahead of Weeds

One of the biggest lawn challenges each spring is crabgrass and other invasive weeds. The key to controlling them is prevention.

Applying a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring helps stop weed seeds from germinating before they become a problem. Timing matters with this step, so it’s worth asking your local garden center when conditions are right for your area.

When weeds are controlled early, your lawn has a much better chance to grow thick and healthy.

Fill in Thin or Bare Spots

Winter can leave lawns looking a little thin in places. Bare areas may appear where snow piles sat the longest or where grass struggled during colder months.

Early spring is a good opportunity to reseed those spots or overseed the entire lawn if it’s starting to look sparse. Choosing the right seed blend for your soil, sunlight conditions, and level of foot traffic will help the new grass establish more successfully.

Once seeded, keep the area consistently moist until the new grass begins to grow.

Give Your Lawn the Nutrients It Needs

After months of dormancy, grass benefits from a boost of nutrients. Applying fertilizer in early spring helps encourage new growth and strengthens the lawn heading into the warmer months.

The best fertilizer will depend on your soil conditions, which is another reason soil testing is so helpful. Using the right product ensures your lawn gets exactly what it needs without over-applying unnecessary nutrients.

Hold Off on the First Mow

Finally, one of the most common mistakes homeowners make each spring is mowing too early. It’s tempting to fire up the mower as soon as the grass starts growing, but allowing the lawn to grow a little taller early in the season actually helps build stronger roots. Longer grass also shades the soil, which can help reduce weed growth. A little patience here can pay off with a healthier lawn later in the season.

With a bit of attention now, your lawn can bounce back from winter and stay green and healthy throughout the months ahead.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Spring Lawn Care Tips for a Healthy Season Ahead

The first day of spring is officially here in Connecticut and we’re already seeing early signs of the season peeking through in the form of crocuses, daffodils, and warmer weather. After an up-and-down winter with a good amount of snow, now is the perfect time to give your lawn some much-needed attention so it thrives all season long.

Here’s your early spring checklist to help get your grass green, healthy, and beautiful:

1. Start with a Soil Test

Before you do anything else, start with a soil test. Grass can be picky, and understanding your soil’s pH and nutrient profile is essential. Ideally, your pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0. A test will help determine what your lawn needs—so you don’t waste money on the wrong fertilizer or seed. You can pick up an easy DIY soil test kit at your local hardware store or hire a professional landscaper to do it for you.

2. Clean-Up Comes First

Once the snow is gone and the ground begins to thaw, it’s time to clean up winter’s mess. Remove any sticks, leaves, or pine needles that have accumulated. Then, rake your lawn—even if it looks clear. Raking helps dethatch the lawn by removing the layer of dead grass and debris that can block sunlight and prevent new growth. Thatch offers insulation in winter, but now it’s time to let your lawn breathe.

3. Aerate for Better Growth

Aerating your lawn is a game-changer. It helps break up compacted soil, improves air and water flow, and gives grass roots better access to nutrients. You can rent an aerator or hire a pro, but either way, don’t skip this step—it really helps your lawn thrive from the ground up.

4. Apply a Pre-Emergent for Weed Control

Weeds are the first to pop up in the spring—and they’re stubborn. Applying a pre-emergent herbicide now will help stop weeds like crabgrass before they take over. The best product for your yard will depend on your soil and grass type, so talk to your local garden center expert for guidance. Getting ahead of weeds early gives your grass a better shot at soaking up all the sunlight and nutrients it needs.

5. Reseed Bare or Thinning Areas

Even healthy lawns can develop thin or patchy areas. Whether you're filling in bare spots or overseeding the entire lawn, the right grass seed makes all the difference. Match your seed type to your soil and light conditions—your local hardware store can point you in the right direction. Use a seed spreader for even coverage and keep the area consistently moist to encourage germination.

6. Finish Strong with Fertilizer

Finally, give your lawn a nutritional boost with fertilizer. Just like with seed, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Your soil test results will tell you what nutrients your lawn is lacking, so choose a fertilizer that supports those needs. The right mix will encourage lush, vibrant growth that lasts well into summer.

One Last Tip: Don’t Mow Too Soon!

It’s tempting to get out the mower once the weather warms, but try to hold off. Let your grass grow a little taller in early spring—longer blades help develop stronger roots and prevent weeds from sprouting. A little patience now will go a long way in creating a thick, healthy lawn you’ll enjoy all season.

Happy spring—and happy growing!

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call (860) 589-5155 or visitwww.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Outdoor Spring Cleaning is Around the Corner

As the weather slowly starts to warm up, the next few weeks offer a great chance for an early spring yard cleanup. While getting the lawn and garden ready for the season seems like a big job, spreading it out over a few mild weekends early in the year can make it much more palatable. Plus, the vitamin D, fresh air, and exercise will do your body and mind a world of good after a long winter indoors. 

If you didn’t clean out your beds in the autumn, now is the time to do it. Cut back any dead debris right down to the ground and prune any shrubs or trees that are overgrown or have been damaged by winter. It’s a lot easier to do this before buds and leaves come, making it more difficult to see what you’re cutting. With that being said, don’t start chopping away at spring bloomers until the buds have formed. If you’re worried about weeds, now is a good time to lay down your landscaper's fabric and mulch new beds. Just be careful to leave space for the plants that you want to come through. 

Don’t let those dead leaves and plant debris go to waste. You can fence off a small area for composting or purchase a tumbler. All that easy-to-break-down yard waste and future food scraps will make fantastic soil for later spring and summer planting. 

If you didn’t reseed your lawn in the fall, it’s not too late. Start by raking up any leaves and branches that have been left behind. Raking also acts as a massage for the ground as it allows oxygen to circulate. I always take it one step further and use an aerator to break up tough, cold soil which gives grass seeds the best chance for survival. Finally, reseed and fertilize to keep hungry birds away.  

If your yard is susceptible to crabgrass, using a pre-emergent will keep weeds at bay. Just make sure you take the proper precautions and don’t apply it near your new grass seedlings as it will kill them off instantly. 

Hardy veggies like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower are best for early planting, as the same goes for peas as long as the ground is fully thawed. Spinach and lettuces are pretty tough too and can generally be put right into the ground in March if the weather cooperates. 

Finally, it’s too early now, but soon it will be time to start mowing. I always recommend setting the blade as high as it will go, especially if you’ve recently reseeded the yard. It’s smart to tread lightly in the first few weeks to make sure that the grass has time to properly root and get comfortable. Go too short too fast and you’ll have a complicated relationship with your yard for the rest of the season. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.