After a long New England winter, your lawn is ready to wake up—but it can always use a little help. A thoughtful spring clean up isn’t too extensive, but it sets the stage for healthier turf all season long. In this guide, we’ll cover:
Let’s get into it.
Clear Winter Debris and Lightly Rake
A good spring clean up starts with removing leaves, twigs, and other debris that can block sunlight and trap moisture. Once clear, give your lawn a gentle raking of any loose grass. This improves airflow, helps soil warm up faster, and can help prevent disease.
Watch for Snow Mold and Lightly Loosen Affected Areas
If you see matted, gray patches in your lawn, you might be dealing with snow mold—a common spring lawn disease caused by lingering moisture under snowpack. Don't panic. In most cases, gently raking these areas will help grass recover by increasing air circulation. Lightly raking those areas will encourage recovery.
Snow mold doesn’t usually require treatment and clears up with warmer temperatures and improved airflow.
Know When to Dethatch vs. Light Rake
While light raking helps your lawn breathe, dethatching is a deeper process that removes a thick, matted layer of organic material just above the soil. Too much thatch (more than ½ inch) can block air, water, and nutrients.
But go easy—dethatching can be stressful on your lawn and is best done when the grass is actively growing. You can also opt to dethatch in early fall.
Fix Plow Damage and Handle Seeding Carefully
Any plow damage should be addressed. Fortunately, chunks of turf ripped up by a plow can usually be replanted like sod. For bare spots or damage beyond repair, consider touch-up seeding.
If you plan to seed, avoid applying pre-emergent weed control in those areas—it will prevent grass seed from germinating. Already applied it? No worries. Add a thin layer of topsoil and seed on top to create separation between the herbicide and seed.
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