Preparing your lawn for spring is one of the most important tasks in ensuring a healthy, lush lawn throughout the warmer months. From preventing weed growth to supporting strong root growth, early action in spring sets the tone for the entire growing season. In this guide, we walk you through a comprehensive spring lawn preparation checklist, covering weed prevention, aeration, and fertilisation so you can achieve a vibrant and actively growing lawn. Whether you’re maintaining an existing lawn or laying the groundwork for a new lawn, let us unlock essential tips backed by industry best practices you can add to your lawn care routine.
Why Spring Lawn Care Matters
Spring is a crucial window for revitalising your lawn after the toll of winter. Grass starts to awaken, grass blades begin pushing through the soil surface, and with the right approach, your lawn can go from patchy and tired to healthy and vigorous. Applying strategic lawn care during early spring can prevent weeds, improve root growth, and promote strong growth for the months ahead.
The Ultimate Spring Lawn Preparation Checklist
Below is a spring lawn care checklist designed to help homeowners, lawn product resellers, landscapers, and parks managers in tackling key tasks at the optimal time.
| Task | Why It Matters | Tools/Products Needed |
| Inspect the entire lawn | Identify bare patches, compacted soil, poor drainage, and dead grass | Garden fork, gloves, soil tester |
| Rake and remove debris | Allow sunlight and air to reach grass blades | Rake, green bin |
| Aerate compacted areas | Alleviate soil compaction for deeper roots | Garden fork or aerator |
| Test soil pH and fertility | Diagnose acidic soils or nutrient deficiencies | Soil test kit |
| Apply wetting agent | Improve water penetration in hydrophobic soil | Wetting agent, sprayer |
| Apply pre emergent herbicides | Prevent weeds before they emerge | Pre emergent herbicide, sprayer |
| Fertilise early | Encourage new growth and root development | Lawn fertiliser, fertiliser spreader |
| Mow high | Trim existing lawn without stressing new grass | Lawn mower |
| Top dress bare patches | Promote even coverage and strong roots | Top dressing mix, rake |
| Water as needed | Maintain moisture for healthy soil | Hose, sprinkler |
With these essential spring lawn care tips in mind, let’s take a closer look at how to carry out each task effectively—starting with one of the most important: aeration.
Aeration: Loosening Compacted Soil
Soil compaction restricts root growth and prevents essential nutrients and water from reaching deeper roots. Use a garden fork to manually aerate compacted soil, especially in high-traffic areas. Alternatively, mechanical aerators can be used for larger properties like sports fields or parks.
For cool season grasses, early spring is the ideal time to aerate. Warm season grasses can benefit from aeration in mid spring once soil temperatures rise consistently.
Top tip: Aerate when soil is moist but not soggy to achieve the best results.
Weed Prevention: Act Before They Appear
Spring weeds can be aggressive. Applying pre-emergent herbicides in early spring is one of the best spring lawn care tips to prevent weeds before they germinate. For existing infestations, post emergent herbicides or hand weeding may be necessary.
Best practice:
- Use herbicides according to the manufacturer’s instructions
- Avoid applying both fertiliser and herbicide in the same session unless the product is combined
- Monitor for many weeds especially along edges or near garden beds
Fertilising for New Growth
Fertilising in early to mid spring provides your lawn with essential nutrients to support new growth and healthy root development. Choose a slow-release lawn fertiliser suited to your grass type. Avoid burning your lawn by using a fertiliser spreader to ensure even coverage.
Pro tip: Applying fertiliser after aeration allows nutrients to reach the grass roots more effectively. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on application rate and watering requirements.
Repairing Bare Patches
If your existing lawn has bare patches or areas of dead grass, spring is the time to address them. With the installation of new slabs to fill in the area, ensuring to keep up maintenance for the new area to establish.
Mowing and Lawn Height
Start mowing when your lawn begins actively growing. Set your lawn mower blades high to avoid stressing the grass and slowly lower the blades over time to the desired height.
Quick fix tip: Sharpen your mower blades to avoid tearing grass blades.
Watering: Smart Spring Hydration
Spring weather can be unpredictable, so monitor rainfall and water as needed. Early morning is the best time to water. Avoid shallow watering; aim for deep, infrequent watering to encourage deeper roots.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-fertilising: Can burn the grass and lead to weak growth
- Ignoring compacted areas: Prevents nutrients from reaching grass roots
- Skipping weed control: Allows spring weeds to take over
- Mowing too short: Leads to bare patches and many weeds
Recommended Tools and Products for Spring Lawn Care
| Tool/Product | Purpose |
| Garden fork | Aeration, loosening compacted soil |
| Lawn mower | Regular trimming to promote healthy lawn |
| Fertiliser spreader | Ensures even coverage of lawn fertiliser |
| Soil test kit | Checks for acidic soils and nutrient levels |
| Wetting agent | Aids water absorption in hydrophobic soil |
| Lawn fertiliser | Promotes strong growth and root development |
| Pre/post emergent herbicides | Weed growth prevention and control |
| Top dressing mix | Repairs bare patches and evens soil surface |
FAQs About Spring Lawn Preparation
When should I start spring lawn preparation? Begin in early spring as soil temperatures rise above 10°C. This is when grass starts growing and weeds begin germinating.
Can I use both fertiliser and weed control together? Yes, but only if the product is formulated for both purposes. Otherwise, apply them separately following the manufacturer’s instructions.
How can I fix bare patches quickly? Rake the area and install new slabs of turf into the area. Water daily until established.
Should I aerate my lawn every year? Not necessarily. Aerate if you notice signs of soil compaction, poor drainage, or thin grass coverage.
Final Thoughts
Proper spring lawn care is the foundation for a lush, resilient lawn that thrives through summer. From applying fertiliser to controlling weeds and aerating compacted soil, every step counts. Use this checklist to prep your existing lawn or new lawn with confidence. By taking the time now, you ensure your lawn is healthy, attractive, and free from spring weeds and stress.
Give us a call to discuss the right lawn fertiliser, and advice tailored to your type of grass and region. With a bit of planning and care, your lawn will reward you with strong growth and vibrant colour all season long.