Early Spring Lawn Care: Preparing Your Property for the Growing Season

Essential steps to ensure a thriving, well-maintained lawn for commercial properties and residential communities.

Why Early Spring Lawn Care is Essential

For property managers, facility managers, and commercial residential owners, the appearance and health of the lawn directly impact curb appeal, tenant satisfaction, and property value. A neglected lawn can lead to weed infestations, thin turf, and costly repairs down the road.

By starting lawn care early in the season, you prevent problems before they start and ensure a lush, healthy lawn throughout the growing season.

Spring lawn care is about more than just aesthetics—it’s about protecting your investment and ensuring long-term sustainability. The right approach includes removing winter damage, controlling weeds, strengthening root systems, and optimizing growth.

This guide outlines the key steps to ensure a well-maintained, high-performing lawn for commercial properties and large residential communities.

Step 1: Clean Up & Inspect the Lawn

Before any fertilization or treatment, start with a thorough inspection of the turf to assess winter damage, compaction, and overall lawn health.

Key Tasks for Spring Cleanup:

✔ Remove leaves, branches, and debris that may have accumulated over the winter. A cluttered lawn blocks sunlight and airflow, creating breeding grounds for disease.
✔ Check for winter lawn damage, including salt burn, snow mold, and bare patches.
✔ Lightly rake to break up matted grass, helping it recover from snow compaction. Avoid heavy raking, as new grass growth can be delicate in early spring.

If dead patches or thinning areas are visible, take note of them for treatment later in the season. Overseeding should be scheduled for fall when conditions are more favorable for new grass establishment.

Step 2: Apply a Pre-Emergent Herbicide

Weed control is one of the most critical steps in spring lawn care for commercial properties. If weeds take hold early, they will compete with grass for nutrients and quickly spread, leading to higher maintenance costs later in the year.

Why Pre-Emergent Herbicides Matter

A pre-emergent herbicide creates a barrier in the soil that prevents weed seeds from germinating, stopping invasive species like crabgrass and dandelions before they take over.

Best Practices for Pre-Emergent Application:

✔ Timing is key – Apply when soil temperatures reach 50-55°F, usually March-April in Ohio. If applied too early or too late, it will not be effective.
✔ Use a combination product – Many professional-grade fertilizers include weed prevention for a one-step application.
✔ Apply evenly using a commercial broadcast spreader for uniform coverage.
✔ Water in the herbicide to activate it and ensure absorption into the soil.

Important Note: Pre-emergent herbicides will prevent all seed germination, including new grass. If your lawn needs overseeding, delay weed control or plan seeding for the fall.

Step 3: Fertilize to Strengthen Growth

A well-balanced fertilizer application is essential for commercial lawn health, ensuring dense, green turf that withstands foot traffic, weather changes, and stressors.

Choosing the Right Fertilizer

✔ Slow-release nitrogen fertilizer – Provides a steady nutrient supply without excessive top growth, reducing mowing frequency.
✔ Balanced N-P-K ratio – For commercial lawns, an early-spring formula with a higher nitrogen (N) content promotes leaf and root development.
✔ Organic options – Consider organic fertilizers for properties focusing on sustainability and environmental impact.

Application Best Practices

✔ Apply after the first mowing when grass is actively growing.
✔ Use a calibrated commercial spreader to ensure even coverage.
✔ Water after application to move nutrients into the root zone.

Spring fertilization strengthens root development and turf density, preparing lawns to withstand heavy foot traffic, extreme temperatures, and summer drought conditions.

Step 4: Mowing for Optimal Growth

Mowing is one of the most critical maintenance tasks, directly impacting the health and resilience of the lawn. Incorrect mowing can stress the grass, encourage weed growth, and create an unhealthy appearance.

Spring Mowing Best Practices:

✔ Set mower height to 2.5-3 inches – This height encourages strong root growth and reduces weed competition. Cutting too short weakens grass, leading to bald spots and increased weed invasion.
✔ Keep mower blades sharp – Dull blades tear the grass, leading to brown tips and increased disease risk.
✔ Avoid mowing wet grass – Mowing on wet turf causes compaction, preventing air and water from reaching the roots.

A consistent mowing schedule throughout spring and summer ensures thicker, healthier grass that can withstand wear and tear.

Step 5: Addressing Lawn Compaction and Thatch

While core aeration and overseeding are best reserved for fall, some prevention steps can be taken in early spring to reduce soil compaction and thatch buildup.

✔ Monitor high-traffic areas – If certain zones compact easily, schedule aeration for later in the year.
✔ Dethatch if necessary – If the thatch layer exceeds ½ inch, a power rake or dethatcher can help promote better soil absorption.
✔ Plan long-term maintenance – Commercial properties should schedule professional aeration annually for optimal lawn health.

Final Thoughts: The Key to a Thriving Commercial Lawn

A proactive early spring lawn care plan is essential for commercial properties, office parks, HOAs, and multi-family residential communities. By focusing on pre-emergent weed control, proper fertilization, and effective mowing, you set the foundation for a resilient, visually appealing lawn throughout the year.

Skipping spring lawn care leads to:
❌ Increased weed infestation and pest issues
❌ Thin, patchy turf that reduces curb appeal
❌ Higher maintenance costs for mid-season repairs

A well-maintained landscape enhances property value, tenant satisfaction, and long-term sustainability.

Need Expert Lawn Care Services for Your Commercial Property?

American Pride Landscaping specializes in professional commercial lawn care, weed control, fertilization, and maintenance for property managers and facility owners in Cincinnati and Dayton.

We offer customized spring lawn care plans tailored to business parks, HOAs, office buildings, and residential communities.

Contact us today to schedule your spring lawn treatment and ensure a greener, healthier lawn this season.