As the days grow warmer and the light stretches longer, spring breathes new life into your lawn, offering the perfect window to set it up for a strong year ahead. This is the season to repair winter’s wear, wake up the grass roots, and prepare for the bursts of new growth that warmer weather brings.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through essential spring lawn care practices — from dethatching and applying the right fertiliser, to sharpening your mowing habits and enhancing soil health. Each step is designed to promote speedy regrowth, strengthen grass roots, and increase your lawn’s drought tolerance, ensuring it thrives well into summer. For homeowners pursuing a lush, vibrant lawn, landscapers tackling high traffic areas, or sports field crew aiming for peak turf performance, these strategies will deliver the desired results you’re after.

Why Spring Lawn Care Matters

Early spring is the perfect time to set the foundation for a healthy lawn. As soil temperatures begin to rise and light intensity increases, growth occurring in your existing lawn becomes more vigorous. The challenge is that winter can leave behind compacted soil, flat weeds, and areas where grass roots are weak.

With the right mix of aeration, fertilising, watering regularly, and smart mowing, you can promote speedy regrowth and encourage your lawn to grow deeper roots. That means improved soil health, better lawn’s drought tolerance, and resilience against weeds in the coming weeks and into summer. Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Assess Your Lawn Growth Situation

Before any action, take a good look at the entire lawn. Walk across it and note high traffic areas, hard lawns, or places with little growth. A soil probe can help you check moisture levels and detect acidic soils or drainage issues.

If you notice a build up of dead grass and debris, it’s time for dethatching. If water is pooling, you might have compacted soil. And if the entire leaf tip of your grass is brown, your mower blades could be dull.

Step 2: Relieve Soil Compaction

Soil compaction reduces the oxygen flow to grass roots, making it harder for them to grow deeper and form strong roots. For most soil types, aeration in early spring is ideal. You can use a garden fork for smaller lawns, or hire specialist equipment for larger areas.

For high traffic areas like sports fields or parks, aerating a few times in spring can promote speedy regrowth.

Step 3: Nourish with the Right Fertiliser

When new growth starts, your lawn needs important nutrients to strengthen its root system. In spring, granular NPK fertiliser is excellent for sustained feeding, while liquid fertilisers offer an instant boost.

Fertiliser Type	Best For	Application Method	Frequency
Granular fertiliser	Entire lawn, steady nutrient release	Use a fertiliser spreader for even coverage	Every 6–8 weeks
Liquid fertilisers	Speedy regrowth, patch repair	Apply via hose-on sprayer	Every 4–6 weeks
Both fertiliser types	Balanced feeding strategy	Alternate applications	Seasonal cycle

Step 4: Manage Weeds Effectively

Spring is when weed types like flat weeds and broadleaf invaders start competing with your healthy lawn. For prevention and control:

Spot-spray best herbicides on problem areas.
Avoid over-watering, as it can help weeds thrive.
Use a wetting agent before applying herbicide in hard lawns to improve soil penetration.

Step 5: Adjust Mowing for Stronger Growth

Mowing in early to mid spring should focus on removing the leaf tip, which keeps grass roots shaded and encourages deeper roots.

Keep mower blades sharp for clean cuts.
Increase mowing frequency as your lawn’s growth situation improves.
For cooler climate lawns, delay lowering the mower height until warmer weather is consistent.

Step 6: Improve Watering Habits

Instead of shallow, frequent watering, aim for deep soaking once or twice a week to help create a strong root system. This encourages roots to grow deeper, making your lawn more resilient in summer.

Use a soil probe to check moisture depth.
Apply a wetting agent in compacted soil areas to help water penetrate.
Adjust schedules based on natural rainfall.

Step 7: Establish a New Lawn in Spring

Spring is also a prime time for starting a new lawn. Soil health preparation is critical — loosen compacted soil with a garden fork, correct acidic soils, and incorporate organic matter.

Choose lawn varieties suited to your soil types and climate. Our team at ALC can provide expert advice on species that will thrive in your area.

Once laid, watering regularly in the first few weeks is essential to promote speedy regrowth. Avoid heavy traffic until growth occurring is strong and deeper roots are established.

Step 8: Maintain Momentum Through Mid Spring

By mid spring, your entire lawn should be actively growing. Continue regular mowing, applying fertiliser as needed, and controlling weed types.

If you’ve used granular NPK fertiliser earlier, switch to liquid fertilisers for that instant boost before events or gatherings. And keep an eye on soil health — apply a wetting agent if little growth is seen in certain patches.

FAQs on Spring Healthy Lawn Care

Q: How soon can I fertilise my lawn in spring?
A: Once soil temperatures are consistently above 10°C and you see new growth, you can start. Use granular fertiliser for a steady supply of important nutrients and water.

Q: Can I fix acidic soils in spring?
A: Yes. Apply lime in early spring to balance pH and improve soil health. Always test first using a soil probe.

Q: How often should I mow during spring?
A: Regular mowing — about once a week — is ideal in mid spring when actively growing lawns can handle more frequent cuts.

Q: Is spring a good time to start a new lawn?
A: Absolutely. The warmer weather and increasing light intensity help promote speedy regrowth. Prepare the soil types properly for desired results.

Spring Lawn Care Quick Checklist

Here’s a recap of what you need to do for the perfect spring comeback.

Assess lawn growth situation in early spring

Relieve soil compaction with garden fork or aerator

Apply granular fertiliser or liquid fertilisers with a fertiliser spreader

Treat weeds with best herbicides and a wetting agent

Adjust mowing height and sharpen mower blades

Deep soaking instead of shallow watering

Prepare and lay new lawn if needed

Seek expert advice from us for any issues you are having.

With the right spring lawn care strategy, your existing lawn or new lawn can thrive. By focusing on soil health, fertiliser needs, and proper mowing, you set your lawn up for a resilient summer. And if you’re unsure about your lawn growth situation, don’t hesitate to give us a call for expert advice not just for this season, but throughout the year!