Spring is finally here! And after this past winter, a little more attention will have to be paid to your lawn to get it looking it's best this spring! However, with so many opinions out there, and a limited amount of time to get things done, we've put our minds together to come up with our "Top 10 Lawn Care Tips" for this spring.

1. PRE-vent Crabgrass and Other Broadleaf Weeds with PRE-Emergent - Crabgrass and other broadleaf weeds are just waiting to get growing as soon as soil temperatures begin to warm up. The best defense against these weeds is to create a thick, strong yard, AND to apply pre-emergent weed preventer BEFORE weeds have a chance to grow. A staple of most lawn care programs, early spring pre-emergent control prevents most weeds from germinating during spring and early summer.
   
   As far as choosing the right pre-emergent, we have always recommended Dimension by Dow Agro Sciences. This pre-emergent not only provides you with a strong defense against crabgrass, but also provides protection against most broadleaf weeds.
    
2. Light on the Nitrogen - In the spring, unless you love mowing, too much fertilization with nitrogen will cause your grass to grow fast, leaving you with more work with constant mowing! The key to a healthy lawn is a properly balanced lawn fertilization program that applies a moderate amount of nitrogen throughout the year. 
    
3. Aeration - Whether in the spring or fall, aerations are a perfect way to jumpstart your lawn and improve root growth. Thousands of tiny holes are opened during an aeration, allowing roots to grow deep and strong, resulting in a thicker lawn.
   
   
4. Grub Control - You never know when you may or may not get grubs, so it's always best to be prepared by taking preventative measures. Once you get grubs, there's not much you can do as they destroy your lawn.
   
   
5. Surface Insect Control - You should apply surface insect control at least once a year at about the same time as the grub control.  You can apply bifenthren 2, 3, or even 4 times in the summer.  It will keep fleas and ticks away, as well as other turf damaging insects like cinch bugs and bill bugs (which had a hay day last year in Columbus lawns).
   
   
6. Proper Watering - Last year many Columbus lawns went too long without water in extreme heat.  Fertilizer alone won't suffice. It's important, even in the spring, that you provide your lawn with a sufficient amount of water.
   
   
7. Overseeding - Several weeks after applying your pre-emergent crabgrass control, you have a small window to reseed spots in your lawn. An ideal time is to do this at the same time that you perform your spring aeration.
   
   
8. High Phosphorous & Potassium in Fall - It may be spring, but it's never too early to start planning for the end of the season. A strong lawn care fertilization program will have applications in the fall that contain fertilizers containing high levels of phosphorous and potassium to help stimulate root growth.
   
   
9. Never Mow Too Short - Believe it or not, improper mowing can injure your grass and cause stress. Never mow too short, taking more than 1/3 of the leaf blade. This may mean more frequent mowing, however your lawn will thank you for it.
   
   
10. Keep on Top of Weeds - Staying on top of weeds doesn't have to be hard. Spot spraying and using pre-emergents will help you keep a weed free lawn all season. Maintaining a proper lawn care program will also thicken your lawn, and allow for less need of weed control. A thick lawn will naturally choke out weeds, and help keep new weeds from growing.
    
     

Other Spring Lawn Care Tips & Tricks

Seeding or sodding is just one of the issues you may face when preparing for the lawn care season. That's why Weed Pro has put together one of the best spring lawn care guides in the industry. The best part is that it's yours absolutely free by clicking on the link below!

Shaun Kanary has been a part of the Green Industry for the past 15 years. As the Director of Marketing for Weed Pro Lawn Care, a Cleveland and Columbus Lawn Care Service Provider, Shaun is a regular contributor to the Weed Pro Blog, and other industry magazine and blogs.  Shaun on Google+     Shaun on LinkedIn     Shaun on Twitter