Thinking about Spring cleaning? Don’t forget about your yard!

It’s almost that time again to clear up the yard, rake away the leaves, and prep the soil for a beautiful and color spring season! Though it is still too cold in San Antonio to begin active maintenance, it’s time to start planning for the warmer temperatures. Here is a guide from our experts to get your yard in top shape for Spring!

Clean Up

Chances are if you have mature trees in your yard, you may have piles of leaves that have accumulated on your lawn. There could be other debris like sticks, trash, animal waste, and anything else the wind could have blown onto your property.

• Remove any leaves, sticks, and debris that have accumulated over winter. This is crucial for allowing the sunlight and air to reach your soil.
• Check your lawn for compacted areas, signs of fungal growth, or dead patches that may need some extra attention.‍

Soil Preparation

If you haven’t done a soil test in the past few years, we recommend conducting one this spring. San Antonio soil tends to be clay-heavy and alkaline, so a soil test will help determine if amendments (like sulfur for pH adjustment or compost for organic matter) are needed for a healthy and beautiful lawn.

• Aerate Your Lawn: Aeration is most optimal when grass is actively growing so that your lawn can breathe, and the grass can recover quickly. But there may be other times to aerate.
  • If you have lots of thatch (layer of dead stems, or roots) or have compacted soil, aeration removes the layer blocking the sun, water, and other nutrients from getting to your soil and your lawn needs these things in order to grow.
  • Schedule some time to aerate once temperatures are consistently above 65°F to improve root growth and water absorption.

Pre-Emergent Weed Control

Now is a perfect time to begin your pre-emergent weed control routine. Laying this down in Late February to early March prevents germination of pesky weeds, crabgrass, and broadleaf weeds from sprouting. Timing is key—once soil temps reach about 55°F, weeds start germinating.

Fertilization Strategy

It’s important to wait until your grass fully emerges from dormancy (typically late March to early April for warm-season grasses like Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia) before applying nitrogen-rich fertilizer (nitrogen is crucial for plant growth and development). If your lawn has a thick thatch layer (more than ½ inch), dethatch before applying fertilizer. This helps nutrients and water reach the soil more effectively. Choose the option for a slow-release, balanced fertilizer to encourage steady growth and deep root development.

Lawn Mowing Tips

• Don’t scalp your lawn—gradually lower the mowing height as growth begins but avoid cutting more than ⅓ of the grass height at once.
• Mow early in the morning when temperatures tend to be cooler and less humid, and it get warmer you’ll need to cut earlier in the morning.
• Use sharp blades and do not cut grass when it is wet.

Irrigation Check

Are you still watering manually? It’s time for an automated system, giving you piece of mind that you’ll never miss a water day, over or under water your lawn. For those who have a sprinkler system, now it the time to check for leaks, clogs, or misaligned heads before ramping up watering. Water deeply but infrequently once temperatures rise, aiming for about 1 inch of water per week, preferably in the early morning.

‍

By following these steps, your lawn will be primed for a lush, green spring. Reach out to us if you have any questions about your grass type, lawn maintenance, or if you need an enhanced irrigation system to grow your lawn right! Give Moore Irrigation a call today (210)-490-5394) and ask about our irrigation service and grass and dirt services to give you and your family the lush lawn you dream of.