Spring is officially here. We've sprung forward, dug out, and now we survey our lawns and make a plan to restore them to their lush, green glory. We head over to the computer or our phone's search bar and enter something like, "best spring fertilizers", "dead patches in lawn", or "how to kill crabgrass".

Perhaps you aren't a DIY kind of person, so instead you search for "lawn care companies in Cleveland" or "lawn care companies in Columbus". Those kinds of searches will bring up all the major players in the lawn care industry, and choosing one can seem like a shot in the dark. Helpful reviews and testimonials can aid you in narrowing your selection, and some of the more specific criteria to look for in a lawn care company will be the topic of our next blog this week.

Whether you're a life-long do-it-yourself guy or gal, or a no muss - no fuss "leave it to the professionals" type, your lawn will need several things in the next few weeks to prepare it to reach its full potential:

• Fertilizer - Early spring fertilizer is essential to give your lawn the nutrients it needs to be healthy and grow properly. For more information on fertilizer products, check out this article.
• Aeration- Aeration is an important step that breaks up the soil in your yard, which becomes compressed during the winter. It also dethatches your lawn in a safe manner by creating pockets to deliver nutrients and water directly to roots for stronger and hardier growth.
• Crabgrass Preventer- Crabgrass is a very common problem in lawns everywhere. Using a Crabgrass preventer or pre-emergent, is a common tool used by many homeowners. Just make sure not to get it too close to your other plants because it is a non-selective pesticide that not only prevents crabgrass seeds from germinating, but turf grass seeds as well.
• Sample your soil- Every lawn is different and knowing the composition of yours will help you determine what types of nutrients your grass needs. Soil samples are a good place to start when when looking to give your lawn the individualized attention it deserves. For more information on how to test your soil, check out this link.

Want the next steps for your lawn’s care?

In lawn care, being late can mean the difference between a beautiful lawn and one that is full of weeds. That's why we've laid out everything you need to know about lawn care materials and products and a step by step guide to when to apply them. Click the link below to download this FREE guide, and follow our blog to stay up to date when a new month's guide is published.