Spring in Indiana means one thing for homeowners — it's time to get the lawn back in shape after a long winter. The transition from frozen to growing season happens fast here, and the steps you take in March and April set the tone for the rest of the year.
Before you fire up the mower, walk the yard and pick up sticks, branches, and any debris that winter left behind. Indiana winters are rough on trees, and all that deadfall can dull mower blades or get caught in equipment. Rake out matted-down areas where snow piled up. Getting the surface clear gives new growth room to breathe.
The first cut of the season is tempting to scalp, but resist the urge. Set your mower deck to 3 to 3.5 inches and let the grass establish itself. Cutting too short shocks the roots and opens the door for weeds. Taller grass shades the soil, holds moisture longer, and develops a deeper root system — all important for the hot, dry stretches Indiana summers can bring.
April is prime time for the first fertilizer application in North Central Indiana. Look for a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer that feeds the lawn gradually rather than dumping everything at once. Apply it when the grass is actively growing — you'll see that rich green color return within a week or two. If you're not sure what your soil needs, a soil test tells you exactly which nutrients are missing.
Those thin or bare patches that appeared over winter? Spring is the window to fix them. Loosen the soil in those spots, spread seed, and keep it consistently moist for 10 to 14 days. Spring rains usually handle the watering, but if we get a dry stretch, a light daily sprinkle makes the difference between a patch filling in or staying bare all summer.
Crabgrass starts germinating when soil temperatures hit 55 degrees, which in Indiana can be as early as mid-April. A pre-emergent herbicide applied before that temperature threshold stops crabgrass before it starts. For existing broadleaf weeds like dandelions, spot-treat rather than blanketing the whole lawn — it saves product and is better for the environment.
If spring clean-up feels like more than you can handle — or you'd rather spend your weekends doing something else — we offer full-service spring lawn care across Kokomo, Lafayette, and surrounding areas. Give us a call and we'll get your yard looking its best.
Spring lawn care made easy. Let us handle the heavy lifting while you enjoy the results.