Spring Lawn Cleanup Checklist for Chatham Homeowners

What should I do to my lawn in spring?

A good spring cleanup sets up the whole season: clear the debris, gently rake, tidy the edges, do a proper first cut, and get the first fertilizer round down. Here''s the checklist we work through on Chatham-Kent lawns every spring.

The spring checklist

1. Clear winter debris. Sticks, leaves, and matted-down leftovers block sunlight and trap moisture and disease. Get them off first.
2. Gently rake / dethatch. A light dethatch lifts matted grass and pulls out dead material so the lawn can breathe. Don''t go so hard you tear up healthy crowns.
3. Check for snow mould and matting. Grey or pink matted patches from winter snow mould usually recover with a light rake and airflow.
4. Edge and define beds. Cut a clean edge along walks, driveways, and beds — it instantly makes the whole property look cared-for.
5. First cut — a little lower. Take the first cut slightly shorter to clear dead tips, then raise the deck back to 3–3.5" for the season. Never remove more than a third of the blade.
6. First fertilizer round. Early spring is the time for a crabgrass preventer plus feed — miss this window and you fight crabgrass all summer.
7. Plan aeration & overseeding. Note thin or bare spots now so you can aerate and overseed at the right time.

When should you start?

As soon as the lawn firms up and is actively growing — usually April in Chatham-Kent. Working on wet, soft ground does more harm than good, so timing matters.

Rather not do it yourself?

Our spring cleanup service handles the whole list in one visit. Get a free quote.