Spring Lawn & Garden Checklist
Spring is the highest-impact time in the yard. Do the right tasks in the right order and your lawn and garden set up for the whole season. Here is a week-by-week checklist with the materials you will need.
Certified Horticulturalist · 12 years
Sarah designs residential landscapes from Portland to Phoenix and writes about mulch, gravel, sod, and low-maintenance planting for US climates. As a Certified Horticulturalist, she has completed over 300 landscape projects and specializes in material selection for different soil types and climate zones.
Published June 7, 2026
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Spring task timeline
| When | Task | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Soil temp 40°F+ | Remove winter mulch from perennials | High |
| Soil temp 45°F+ | Apply pre-emergent weed control | High |
| Soil temp 50°F+ | Overseed bare patches | High |
| Soil temp 50°F+ | Apply mulch to beds | High |
| Soil temp 55°F+ | Fertilize cool-season lawn | Medium |
| After last frost | Plant cool-season annuals | Medium |
| Soil temp 60°F+ | Plant warm-season vegetables | High |
| As needed | Edge beds, trim shrubs | Low |
Check soil temperature with a $10 soil thermometer — air temperature is not reliable.
Material quantities for a typical spring refresh
Mulch refresh (adding 2 inches to existing beds)
- 200 sq ft of beds: 1.2 cu yd = 17 bags
- 400 sq ft: 2.5 cu yd = 34 bags
- 600 sq ft: 3.7 cu yd = 50 bags
Rule: sq ft × 2 in ÷ 324 = cubic yards
Topsoil for bare lawn patches
- 100 sq ft at 1 in: 0.3 cu yd = 5 bags
- 500 sq ft at 1 in: 1.5 cu yd = 23 bags
Grass seed for overseeding
- 1,000 sq ft (tall fescue): 3–4 lbs
- 5,000 sq ft: 15–20 lbs
Week-by-week spring checklist
Early spring (March–April, soil 40–50°F)
- Rake leaves and debris from beds and lawn
- Remove winter protection (burlap, mulch mounds) from shrubs
- Clean and sharpen mower blades
- Apply pre-emergent herbicide to lawn (before forsythia blooms — nature’s signal)
- Prune dead wood from shrubs and ornamental grasses
- Divide and replant overgrown perennials
Mid spring (April–May, soil 50–60°F)
- Apply 2–3 inches of mulch to all beds
- Overseed bare and thin lawn areas
- Apply starter fertilizer to seeded areas
- Plant cool-season annuals and vegetables
- Fertilize established lawn (slow-release nitrogen)
- Aerate compacted lawn areas
Late spring (May–June, soil 60°F+)
- Plant warm-season vegetables after last frost
- First lawn mowing of the season (3 in height for most grasses)
- Set up irrigation timer for the season
- Apply pre-emergent to gravel paths and driveways
- Inspect and clean gutters and downspouts
Spring mulching guide
Fresh mulch every spring does four things: suppresses weeds, retains moisture, regulates soil temperature, and improves soil as it decomposes.
How to apply:
- Pull old mulch back from plant stems (leave 2–3 in gap)
- Weed the bed thoroughly
- Apply fresh mulch to 2–3 in total depth
- Do not mix old and new mulch — the old layer is fine to leave as base
- Water in after applying
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I apply mulch in spring?
Apply mulch in spring after the soil has warmed — typically late April through May in most US regions. Applying too early keeps cold soil from warming up. Wait until daytime temps are consistently above 50°F and perennials have broken dormancy.
When should I fertilize my lawn in spring?
For cool-season grasses, apply a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer when the lawn starts actively growing — when soil temps reach 55°F, usually March–April. For warm-season grasses, wait until late April–May when temps consistently exceed 65°F. Do not fertilize dormant grass.
Should I aerate in spring or fall?
Fall is the best time to aerate cool-season lawns — the grass recovers quickly in cool weather. Spring aeration works but the holes close slowly. For warm-season grasses, spring aeration is ideal, done just before the active growing season.
How much mulch do I need to refresh my beds in spring?
To refresh mulch beds from 1 inch to 3 inches (adding 2 inches): 100 sq ft needs 0.62 cu yd or 9 bags. Most homes need 2–5 cubic yards for a full spring refresh. Measure your total bed area and use the Mulch Calculator for an exact count.
When can I plant vegetables in spring?
Plant cool-season crops (lettuce, spinach, peas, broccoli) 4–6 weeks before last frost. Plant warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) 1–2 weeks after last frost when soil temps reach 60°F. Find your last frost date at the USDA plant hardiness zone map.
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