Preparing Your Lawn for Spring: Essential Steps for Boise homeowners

Get Your Lawn Ready for Spring: Essential Steps for Boise Homeowners

1. Time for a Clean-Up

First things first: grab a rake and clear up all the junk winter left behind. We’re talking leaves, twigs, pine needles, and whatever else the wind decided to drop in your yard. This isn’t just about making it look nice—getting rid of that debris helps prevent mold, disease, and dead spots. Plus, it gives your grass some much-needed breathing room.

2. Check Your Lawn

Before you start fixing things, see what actually needs fixing. Are there bare spots? Weird gray or pink patches (that’s snow mold, by the way)? Maybe some little trails from critters that had a party in your yard all winter? Knowing what’s going on helps you tackle the right issues.

3. Give Your Lawn Some Air

If your grass feels rock-hard or has a thick, spongy layer of dead stuff on top, it might need some help. Aerating helps water, air, and nutrients reach the roots. Dethatching (removing the built-up layer of dead grass) can also help if things are extra thick. You can rent tools for these, but don’t overdo it—your lawn still needs some structure to hold up.

4. Feed It (But Don’t Go Overboard)

After months of cold weather, your grass is starving. A good fertilizer can give it the boost it needs to grow back thick and green. Just make sure you use the right type for your grass, and follow the directions—too much can actually cause more harm than good. Slow-release fertilizers are a great option since they feed the grass gradually over time.

5. Fix the Bald Spots

If your lawn has some bare spots, no big deal—it’s an easy fix. Loosen up the soil, sprinkle on some grass seed that matches what you already have, and lightly cover it with topsoil or compost. Keep it damp until new grass starts popping up. Done.

6. Water the Right Way

Watering every day? Don’t do it. The trick is deep, occasional watering, which encourages strong, deep roots. Watering in the early morning is best, so the grass has time to dry before night. And those quick daily sprinkles? They do more harm than good—shallow watering leads to weak, shallow roots.