Before you can focus on lawn care, it’s important to remove any debris left behind by winter. A thorough cleanup helps prevent mold, disease, and pests from taking hold in your yard. Here’s what to do:

• Clear Away Leaves and Debris: Rake up leaves, sticks, and any dead plant material that accumulated over winter. This allows your grass and soil to breathe.
• Cut Back Perennials and Shrubs: Remove dead foliage from last year’s perennials. Trim any dead or damaged branches from trees and shrubs to promote healthy growth.
• Edge Garden Beds and Walkways: Define the borders of your lawn, garden beds, and pathways for a polished look.
• Inspect Hardscapes: Check patios, walkways, and retaining walls for winter damage, making necessary repairs before plants start growing.

2. Dethatching for a Healthier Lawn

Dethatching is a crucial step in lawn care that removes the layer of dead grass and organic matter (thatch) that builds up over time. A thick layer of thatch can block water, air, and nutrients from reaching the soil.

• Test for Thatch: If your lawn feels spongy or has more than half an inch of thatch, it’s time to dethatch.
• Use a Dethatching Rake or Machine: Manually raking or using a tine-rake dethatcher helps break up and remove the excess thatch.
• Follow Up with Fertilization: After dethatching, apply a spring fertilizer to encourage strong grass growth. While you can overseed at this time, it’s better suited for fall.

3. Refresh Your Landscape with Mulching

Mulching is one of the best ways to protect your garden beds and boost curb appeal. A fresh layer of mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

• Choose the Right Mulch: Organic mulch like shredded bark, wood chips, or compost enriches the soil as it breaks down.
• Apply a 1-3-inch layer: Spread mulch evenly around trees, shrubs, and flower beds, being careful not to pile it directly against plant stems. Topdressing is applying a 1-layer over existing mulch. Apply mulch thicker in areas where existing mulch is thin or bare.
• Refresh Mulch Annually: Over time, mulch decomposes and needs to be topped off to maintain its benefits.

4. Lawn Care: Mowing, Fertilizing, and Watering

With your yard cleaned up and prepped, it’s time to focus on maintaining a healthy lawn throughout the season.

• Mow at the Right Height: For cool-season grasses, aim to keep your lawn between 3.5 and 3.75 inches tall. Never cut more than one-third of the grass blade at a time.
• Apply a Spring Fertilizer: A balanced fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium helps jumpstart growth. Be careful not to over-fertilize, which can lead to excessive top growth and weak roots. Also, wait until temperatures are in the mid 50’s.
• Water Wisely: Lawns need about an inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation. Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth.

5. Plan for Seasonal Planting and Landscaping Updates

Spring is a great time to add new plants and make landscaping improvements.

• Choose Native Plants (or Nativars): Opt for plants suited to Middleton’s climate for easier maintenance and better resilience.
• Prune and Shape Trees and Shrubs: Early spring pruning helps shape plants and encourages new growth. Avoid pruning spring-blooming plants.
• Consider New Hardscaping Features: Spring is a great time to install patios, walkways, or outdoor living spaces to enhance your yard and enjoy for the rest of the growing season.