Assess Winter Damage: Check your lawn and landscape for any signs of winter damage, such as snow mold (pink or tan patches on the grass) or broken branches on shrubs and trees. Gently rake matted areas to improve air circulation.

Remove Debris: Clear away any fallen branches, leaves, and other debris that accumulated over the winter. This allows sunlight and air to reach the soil and grass preventing potential disease issues and allowing for essential nutrients absorption. 

Prepare Landscape Beds: Edge your landscape beds to define them clearly and prepare them for fresh mulch. Hope Grows Indy can assist with edging and preparing your beds for planting.

Trimming, Pruning, & Removal of Plants, Shrubs, & Trees: Spring is a good time to prune many trees and shrubs, removing any dead, damaged, or crossing branches. 

Irrigation System, Gutter, & Drainage Check: Inspect your irrigation system for leaks and ensure proper coverage. Also ensure proper water drainage to prevent pooling and grass diseases.

Hope Grows Indy offers comprehensive Spring Clean-Up services to handle these tasks efficiently and affordably.

Wait for Dry Conditions: Ensure the ground is dry enough to avoid damaging your lawn with the mower.

Mow at the Right Height: Avoid cutting the grass too short, as this can stress the plant. Aim for a mowing height of around 2-3 inches for most common Indiana turfgrasses. Also, ensure your mower blades are sharp for a clean cut.

Hope Grows Indy offers regular lawn maintenance and mowing services to remove the hassle from your weekly to-do list.

Test Soil pH & Nutrients: Indiana’s soil tends to be acidic. Aim for a pH between 6.0-7.0 for optimal grass growth.

Timing is Key: The ideal time for the first fertilization in Central Indiana is typically in April or early May, once the lawn is actively growing.

Choose the Right Fertilizer: Select a fertilizer appropriate for your grass type and the time of year. A balanced fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content is generally recommended for spring. Hope Grows Indy offers customized fertilization programs tailored to the specific needs of your lawn.

Hope Grows Indy creates a custom fertilization plan that’s tailored to your lawn’s needs, ensuring the right nutrients at the right time.

Aeration: Aeration involves creating small holes in the soil to improve air circulation, water penetration, and nutrient absorption.

Overseeding: Overseeding involves spreading grass seed over your existing lawn to thicken it and fill in bare spots. Fill in bare patches with a blend of fescue, bluegrass, and ryegrass to create a dense, weed-resistant lawn.  

HGI typically recommends conducting your aeration and overseeing in the Fall. However, consider them for your lawn in the spring if you didn’t complete these activities the previous Fall and you have compacted soil or thin, patchy areas.

Hope Grows Indy provides professional core aeration and overseeding services to enhance your lawn's health and density.

Pre-Emergent Herbicides: Applying a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring can help prevent many common weeds, like crabgrass, from germinating.

Post-Emergent Weed Control: If you already see weeds, use a post-emergent herbicide specifically designed for the type of weed you're targeting. Spot-treat existing weeds with selective herbicides to avoid damaging healthy grass.

Hope Grows Indy offers effective weed control services to keep your lawn weed-free and looking its best.

Mulch Application: Spread 2-3 inches of mulch around trees and flower beds to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Edging & Border Cleanup: Define landscape edges for a polished look and prevent grass encroachment.

Plant Selection: Choose plants that thrive in Central Indiana's climate and soil conditions. Consider adding annuals for pops of color or perennials for lasting beauty.  

Hope Grows Indy offers mulch installation and professional planting services that will help you design and install beautiful landscape enhancements.