After winter dormancy, your lawn needs special attention to bounce back strong. Follow this seasonal checklist to ensure lush, healthy grass all summer long.
Start with a thorough raking to remove thatch buildup. This allows air and nutrients to reach the soil. For cool-season grasses common in NorCal, early spring is ideal for this process.
Core aeration relieves soil compaction, letting water and fertilizer penetrate deeper. The small plugs left behind will break down naturally, enriching your soil with organic matter.
Choose a slow-release fertilizer with a 3-1-2 nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio. Apply when grass is dry and water lightly afterward to help nutrients sink in without burning.
As temperatures rise, gradually lower your mowing height. Never remove more than ⅓ of the blade length at once. Keep mower blades sharp for clean cuts that heal faster.