With warmer temperatures on their way, homeowners across the country are already itching to get out of their houses and back to caring for their lawns and landscapes. Spring–Green Lawn Care owner Mark Gill answers some of the most frequently asked questions he has received over the years.

1. Should I rake my lawn in the spring? A light raking with a leaf rake or flexible tine rake is good for your lawn. Any leaves that were not raked up in the fall should be collected, and it’s even effective to run your mower through them to chop them up into finer bits and pieces.

2. When should I fertilize my lawn for the first time? The variety of turf grass in your lawn will dictate the best time to fertilize your lawn. Most southern turfgrasses should not be fertilized until the weather begins to warm, and you notice new green shoots beginning to grow at the base of the plant. For those homeowners with centipede grass in their lawn, it is best to wait until May or June before using a higher nitrogen fertilizer.

3. What is the best time to apply a crabgrass control? A good way to determine when to apply crabgrass control is to watch the soil temperature. The best way to check this is to take a standard meat thermometer and push it one inch deep into a sunny area of the lawn. If the temperatures are nearing the 60 degree mark – the optimum temperature for crabgrass germination – it’s time to apply. Also, be sure to water soon after application, as many crabgrass control products require water to evenly distribute the product across the soil surface.

4. Why do I have so many weeds in my lawn and what can I do to minimize their presence? Weed seeds are introduced into lawns by the wind, rain or carried by animals. To combat their germination, maintain a thick lawn that is mowed high.

5. Is there anything special I need to do when I mow my lawn for the first time in the spring? If the grass was left too long in the fall, and it has turned brown due to cool weather dormancy, mow shorter than normal to remove the unsightly color. Don’t scalp the lawn, but mowing shorter means that the new grass blades will not have to compete with the old blades. If the lawn was mowed correctly last fall, however, set your mower on the high side depending on the variety of grass that is present in your lawn.

6. Do I need to water my lawn or landscape in the spring? Generally speaking, there is more natural rain fall in the spring that watering is not required but during drought periods, supplemental water may be necessary.