Top Spring Lawn Care Tips
Hackmann Lawn & Landscape – St. Charles, MO
Spring is the season to revive your lawn—and Hackmann Lawn & Landscape is here to help. From dethatching and aeration to fertilization and cleanup, our expert team has the tools and experience to give your lawn a fresh, healthy start this spring.
Section: Seasonal Challenges
- Winter debris, compacted soil, and early weeds
- Thin grass from winter dormancy and emerging crabgrass
Spring Recommendations
- Clean & clear debris: rake leaves, twigs, and thatch
- Aerate & soil test: improve drainage and pH balance
- Overseed thin spots, fertilize with slow‑release N fertilizer
- Apply pre‑emergent weed control, prune shrubs and trees
- Service irrigation and sharpen mower blades
Spring Checklist FAQs
Have questions about spring lawn care?
Our Spring Maintenance Checklist FAQs cover everything you need to know—from when to fertilize to how to prep your yard for a lush, healthy season.
How often should I mow in spring?
Begin when grass grows ~3″ and remove no more than one-third of blade length.
How short should I mow my lawn for the first cut of the year?
Set the mower to 3 inches. Cutting too short stresses cool season grasses like fescue and promotes weeds.
What is the first thing you put on your lawn in the spring?
The first treatment should be a pre-emergent weed control paired with a slow release spring fertilizer. Missouri’s early warmups trigger crabgrass and broadleaf weeds fast, so applying pre-emergent when soil reaches 50 to 55°F keeps weed seeds from germinating. In St. Charles County’s larger lots, this step is especially important because open, windy spaces spread weed seeds quickly.
What is the 150 rule for lawns?
The “150 Rule” means that when the daily high plus daily low equals 150, crabgrass germination begins.
Example:
80° daytime high
70° overnight low
80 plus 70 equals 150 → crabgrass is emerging
This helps Missouri homeowners time pre-emergent properly, especially during sudden spring warmups.
When should you start lawn care in spring?
Start lawn care when temperatures consistently stay in the 50 to 60°F range. In Missouri, this is typically mid March to early April. Begin with debris removal, first mowing, dethatching if needed, and a weed preventing fertilizer. Rural St. Charles properties warm slower than city lots, so timing may vary slightly.
When can I use pre‑emergent crabgrass control?
What happens if you fertilize your lawn too early in spring?
Fertilizing too early promotes rapid top growth before root growth, stressing the grass and making it vulnerable to heat, drought, and disease later. Over fertilization also leaches nutrients into the soil before your lawn can use them especially in heavy Missouri rains.
Should I aerate my lawn in early spring?
It’s better to aerate in fall. Spring aeration may bring dormant weed seeds to the surface and cause more weeds.
Why is my lawn patchy after winter?
Snow mold, matted leaves, and freezing/thawing cycles can damage grass. Spring raking and light dethatching help restore airflow.
When should I overseed in spring?
Spring overseeding is possible, but fall is far superior. If you overseed in spring, avoid using pre-emergent, because it blocks new seed from sprouting.
Should I trim trees and shrubs in early spring?
Yes, before new growth appears. Especially evergreens like blue spruce that serve as windbreaks/privacy screens in St. Charles County neighborhoods.
