Spring is the most important season for setting your Oakland County lawn and landscape up for success. Get the timing right on these March, April, and May tasks and you'll spend the rest of the summer enjoying a lush, weed-free yard instead of chasing problems.
March: Wake Up Your Lawn
As soon as the ground thaws and daytime temps consistently hit 50°F+:
- ✓ Spring cleanup: Remove debris, dead leaves, and winter salt damage. Don't rake too aggressively — you can damage new growth.
- ✓ Assess winter damage: Look for snow mold (gray or pink patches), vole damage (surface tunnels), and salt damage along driveways and sidewalks.
- ✓ Sharpen mower blades: Dull blades tear grass instead of cutting it cleanly, leaving ragged edges that invite disease.
- ✓ Check irrigation system: Inspect heads for winter damage before you need it.
April: Fertilize & Pre-Emergent
April is the most critical month for lawn care in Oakland County:
- ✓ Apply pre-emergent herbicide: Timing is critical — apply when soil temps reach 50–55°F (usually early-to-mid April in Oakland County). This prevents crabgrass and other summer annual weeds from germinating.
- ✓ Apply slow-release spring fertilizer: A balanced fertilizer (like 18-0-6 with slow-release nitrogen) feeds the lawn through May without pushing excessive top growth.
- ✓ Spot-treat broadleaf weeds: Dandelions and clover are easiest to control in spring when they're actively growing.
- ✓ Begin mowing: Start when grass reaches 3.5 inches. Set mower to 3–3.5 inches for cool-season grasses — never remove more than 1/3 of the blade at once.
May: Landscape Beds & Mulching
- ✓ Edge landscape beds: Clean, crisp bed edges make the entire yard look more polished. Re-cut edges that have grown in over winter.
- ✓ Apply fresh mulch (2–3 inches): Fresh mulch suppresses weeds, retains moisture, and gives beds a clean, finished look. Don't pile mulch against plant stems (volcano mulching kills plants).
- ✓ Prune spring-blooming shrubs: Prune forsythia, lilac, and viburnum immediately after they bloom — pruning before bloom removes this year's flower buds.
- ✓ Plant annuals after May 15: Oakland County's last frost date is typically May 10–15. Wait until after this date to plant frost-sensitive annuals and vegetables.
Need help with any of these tasks? Elowsky Lawn Services handles spring cleanups, fertilization programs, mulching, and full seasonal maintenance across Northeast Oakland County. Learn about our seasonal cleanup service or request a free estimate.