Spring Overview

Spring has arrived, bringing lawns and landscapes out of dormancy. Temperatures should soon stay above freezing, helping turf and ornamental plants transition into active growth. Early-season tasks like cleaning up debris and tuning equipment now can set the stage for successful, healthy lawns and landscapes throughout the spring and summer.
• Focus on preparing equipment and removing debris so turf and ornamentals have the best possible start to the growing season.

Mowing & Lawn Transition

As grass wakes up, sharpen your mower blades and aim for a slightly lower cutting height on the first mow to remove dormant blades. This practice exposes the grass crown to sunlight and helps speed green-up. Zoysia lawns lag behind other types as they require warmer soil temperatures and longer daylight hours; allow additional time for these lawns to fully emerge.
• After that initial lower mowing, plan on raising the mower to recommended heights (1.5"–2.5" for Zoysia, 1.5" to 2" for Centipede, 1.5" or lower for Bermuda, 3.5" or higher for St. Augustine) once active growth begins.

Irrigation & Water Management

Before stepped up watering schedules resume, check your irrigation system for leaks or malfunctions. Early spring lawns generally need less water than midsummer turf—about one deep watering every week or two when rainfall is scarce. Over-watering with the cooler evenings promotes weeds, disease, and root damage.
• Begin with minimal supplemental irrigation, then increase as soil temperatures rise and grass shows signs of wilting. Please apply supplemental irrigation only in the absence of rain.

Lawn Fertilization & Treatment

By month end, we will be applying a fertilizer designed to stimulate both top and root growth in the lawns. The fertilizer, along with the micro nutrients incorporated in the mix, will enhance the color of the lawn. Your treatments will contain an insecticide to help control turf-damaging insects like mole crickets that are active now. This pest is more of a nuisance at this point as the adults are tunneling and searching for mates. It is their offspring that concern us most when they hatch in the June/July timeframe. We utilize a preventative insecticide before this hatch to keep our lawns protected. We are wrapping up the last spring pre-emergent treatment for crabgrass that will help prevent weeds and are addressing any existing weeds in the lawn while out with a broad leaf and sedge post-emergence weed control. We will continue to apply lime over the next months as well based on need.

• Your upcoming turf treatments will include fertilization, turf damaging insect control, and weed controls to set the foundation for a healthier lawn all season long.

Landscape Plants & Bed Care

Remove fallen leaves and debris to reduce fungal and moisture risks. Prune dead or dying branches once you confirm they show no living tissue. Palms, and other winter damaged plants, may need until mid-summer to regrow. Most shrubs require less water than turf. This time of year, one watering every two weeks in the absence of rain is our recommendation.

We are currently applying an early season growth protection treatment to our Healthy Landscape customers. This treatment includes an insecticide, miticide, and fungicide to protect new growth flushes and get the plants off to a good start. There are many insects that love targeting new succulent growth. We combat them with both contact and systemic insecticides. Fungicide will help protect the plants from disease. Our team will transition to a spring fertilization in April, which is designed to help these plants recover from stress and stay healthy throughout the growing season. This treatment will improve color and growth in your trees and shrubs, increase ornamental fruit and flowering, and strengthen the root network in your plants.
• Refresh plant beds with mulch or pine straw and prune judiciously, watching for healthy new growth on shrubs and palms.

Teamwork & Additional Services

For a vibrant, resilient property, follow best practices alongside professional treatments. Keep in touch with your lawn technician about scheduling aeration, top-dressing, plugging, sod work, or any other enhancements you may need as spring progresses. We start all of these services over the next month.
• Coordinating with professional services—alongside consistent home care—delivers the best long-term results for your lawn and landscape.

We hope you and your families have a wonderful Spring!