Spring Lawn Guide

It’s spring, meaning things are starting to grow! The “spring transition,” when grasses go from dormant to active, is in full swing this month. Not only is the grass starting to grow, but winter weeds are also starting to grow vigorously. Between caring for your turfgrass and tending to the weeds, March, April, May, and June are some of the busiest times of the year for lawn management.

Here are a few things to do from March 22–June 21:

• Mow your grass frequently as the temperature gets warmer. Regular mowing will be pivotal in helping you control weeds that pop up.
• Be sure to fertilize the lawn at some point to allow for quick coverage. Pay close attention to make sure the grass is responding to the nutrients, not weeds.
• Speaking of herbicides, do not apply postemergence herbicides to warm-season grasses during the transition to springtime. Applying these herbicides in March and April can hinder turfgrass in the early stages of active growth. If you do wish to apply postemergence herbicide on your lawn to kill weeds, you’re safe to do so beginning May 1 on the Gulf Coast and May 15 in central and north Mississippi. 

If you mow and fertilize your grass and treat the weeds, your lawn will be in great shape for the warm weather! Write down these tips or refer to this post as a reminder to stay on top of your lawn care. We’ll post the summer checklist at the end of June. 

If you want to learn more about caring for your lawn, Extension Publication 1322, “Establish and Manage Your Home Lawn,” is a good place to start! It has all the research-based information you need! If you have any questions, you can directly reach out to your Extension Office, and they can help you out!