As the days get warmer and the trees start to bloom in Spring in Northern Virginia, it’s time to give your lawn the attention it deserves after a long winter. At Elmer’s Lawn & Garden, we’ve been helping homeowners across Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, and the surrounding areas achieve lush, healthy lawns since 1994, and we know that a little preparation now goes a long way.
Spring Lawn Prep: A Northern Virginia Guide
Here’s our essential spring lawn care checklist to get your Northern Virginia yard ready for the growing season:
1. Spring Cleaning & Debris Removal
Winter can leave behind a mess of leaves, twigs, and other debris. Start by thoroughly raking your lawn. This isn’t just about tidiness; raking removes dead grass and thatch, allowing sunlight and air to reach the soil, which stimulates growth. Clear out your garden beds as well, trimming back any dead branches from shrubs and perennials. A clean slate makes it easier to assess your lawn’s needs.
2. Mower Maintenance
Before the grass starts growing rapidly, get your mower ready. Clean it thoroughly, check the engine, and most importantly, sharpen the blades. Dull blades tear grass rather than cutting it cleanly, leaving your lawn vulnerable to disease and stress. Ensure your mower deck is level for an even cut.
3. Tackle Those Weeds Early
Spring is prime time for weeds like chickweed, henbit, and the dreaded crabgrass to invade your lawn. Applying a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring is crucial, especially for preventing crabgrass before it even gets a chance to germinate. For weeds already visible, targeted post-emergent treatments can be effective. Remember, a thick, healthy lawn is the best natural defense against weeds.
4. Fertilization – Feeding Your Lawn
Your lawn wakes up hungry after winter! While fall fertilization is generally considered most crucial for root development in our Northern Virginia cool-season grasses, a spring feeding can help promote green-up and recovery. However, over-fertilizing in spring can sometimes lead to weak growth. We recommend a soil test to determine your lawn’s specific nutrient needs and pH level. Northern Virginia soils tend to be acidic, often requiring lime applications in spring to optimize nutrient uptake. Based on the soil test, a balanced, slow-release fertilizer application can provide the necessary nutrients without forcing excessive top growth.
5. Aeration and Overseeding (If Necessary)
Compacted soil, common in our region’s clay-heavy ground, prevents water, air, and nutrients from reaching the roots. While fall is the ideal time for aeration and overseeding cool-season grasses, spring aeration might be beneficial if your lawn is severely compacted or has bare patches you want to address before summer. If seeding in spring, be mindful that pre-emergent herbicides cannot be used simultaneously unless using specific products, and new grass will require consistent watering to survive the summer heat.
6. Proper Mowing Practices
Once mowing season begins, resist the urge to cut the grass too short. For Northern Virginia lawns (mostly tall fescue), maintain a height of 3.5 to 4 inches. Mowing high encourages deeper roots, making the lawn more resilient to heat and drought. Mow regularly (usually weekly during peak growth) and never remove more than one-third of the grass blade at a time. Leaving grass clippings on the lawn (grasscycling) returns valuable nutrients to the soil.
Need a Hand with Your Spring Lawn Care in Northern Virginia?
Preparing your lawn for spring can feel like a big job. If you’re looking for professional lawn care services in Northern Virginia, including lawn mowing in Manassas, fertilization in Fairfax, or weed control in Arlington, the experienced team at Elmer’s Lawn & Garden is here to help. We offer comprehensive services tailored to the unique needs of lawns in Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Vienna, Lorton, Woodbridge, Manassas, Fredericksburg, Stafford, Springfield, and McLean.
Contact Elmer’s Lawn & Garden today for a free estimate and let us help you achieve the beautiful, healthy lawn you deserve this spring!
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