What lawn care services do I need in the spring vs the fall?
Hiring a lawn care professional is the best way to ensure that your yard gets the care it needs. But how do you know which services you need in the spring vs the fall? We discuss that below, and how you can find an experienced contractor with GreenPal to make it all come together.
Why do different seasons have different lawn care needs?
Lawn care maintenance is very dependent on the time of the year. Understanding the seasonal differences can help ensure that your yard is properly cared for. The wrong maintenance tasks can even damage your lawn, so that’s why it’s so important to hire a professional who knows what they’re doing.
The springtime is all about waking your yard up and getting it ready for the summer heat. After winter dormancy, grass needs some time to recover, so most lawn care services are about promoting healthy growth and preparing the yard for summer lawn care and mowing. During the fall, lawn care is more about making your yard resilient. Seasonal services in the fall ensure that your property can withstand cold temperatures and dormancy so that it’s ready to come back to life in the spring.
Many seasonal lawn care services are dependent on the type of grass as well. Cool-season grasses and warm-season grasses operate on opposing schedules. For example, if you live in the south and need lawn care in Columbus, GA, the services you do in the spring would be done in the fall on other properties in the north.
Early spring is an important time for your lawn. It’s coming back to life and getting ready for peak growing season, so it’s important for you to take care of it with the right services. Here are some of the most common spring seasonal services you’ll want to schedule:
General cleanup: Spring cleanup is perfect for removing any debris or branches that have fallen over the winter. This is also a good time for dethatching to remove any dead material that’s left over on your grass.
Pre-emergent weed control: You’ll want to spray pre-emergent herbicide to get control of any weeds before they arise.
Fertilization: Once the grass has started to start growing again, you’ll want to consider fertilization in late spring. This will boost the growing cycle and promote good lawn health.
Mowing: During late spring, you can also start to pick up your regular mowing schedule. You may only need a bi-weekly lawn care plan until the summer is in full swing.
Aeration and overseeding: If you live with warm-season grasses, spring is a good time for core aeration. It helps loosen up soil compaction from foot traffic and promotes root development. Overseeding warm-season grasses in the spring can help with bare patches.
Fall lawn care services
Fall lawn care is important to get your lawn ready for a dormant winter. Many people wind down lawn care at this time, but even with colder soil temperatures, it’s still important to maintain your yard. Intentional maintenance will keep it healthy throughout the colder months. Some typical fall services include:
Aeration and overseeding: In cold-season grass climates, core aeration should be done in the fall to loosen up compacted soil. Cold-season grasses benefit from fall overseeding, too. Once soil temperatures are in the 60s, it’s a great time to spread grass seed to cover bare spots.
Dethatching: Fall is a good time to do dethatching. Your lawn care pro will collect and remove any debris from past cuttings that has accumulated on the lawn. This allows the yard to get as healthy as possible before winter.
Post-emergent weed control: If weeds or crabgrass have started to pop up during the fall, you can apply post-emergent herbicides. Crabgrass seed germination happens in the cold temperatures of fall, so it’s the perfect time to stop its growth.
Leaf raking: Fallen leaves are one of the biggest inconveniences of fall maintenance, but they must be cleaned up to maintain a visually appealing and healthy lawn.
Final mow: Once you get closer to winter, do a final mowing. Aim for a lawn mower height of around 2 inches. The less grass there is, the fewer resources it will need over the winter.
While spring and fall services are very important, year-round lawn care is just as crucial. You want to keep up with ongoing maintenance so that your property stays in good condition. This makes spring and fall services more effective. Yard cleanup is a year-round process and is even a part of winter lawn care. By removing debris, you ensure your grass is getting as much light and nutrients as possible.
Throughout the spring, summer, and fall, you’ll want to schedule recurring mowing services. Overgrowth can attract chinch bugs, grubs, and other pests, so it’s beneficial to keep your grass at a manageable length. Mulch can also be applied in all seasons to maintain your property’s aesthetic and protect trees and their roots from weed whackers and mower blades.
Best method for hiring spring and fall seasonal lawn care
With all the complexities of seasonal lawn care, most homeowners prefer to hire a professional. Doing so can free up your time and ensure that your yard is being properly cared for so that it stays healthy all year round.
However, finding an expert who understands what your lawn needs isn’t always easy. Traditional hiring methods are time-consuming and often result in disappointing results. GreenPal is a much more effective solution. It connects homeowners with qualified and vetted lawn care pros who have direct experience providing spring and fall seasonal services to other homes in your area.
Whether you’re planning for future seasonal services or you need immediate lawn care, GreenPal is easy to get started with. All you need to do is enter your property address and some information to start receiving bids from qualified contractors in your area. Here are a few tips for using the platform to its fullest:
Communication is key: Always speak with your lawn care provider before hiring them to make sure everyone is on the same page. Outline clear expectations about what services you need and when you need them done by.
Compare quotes: Most homeowners get a variety of bids for their lawn. Take time to carefully review each quote, not just for price, but overall value.
Plan for recurring services: Contractors on GreenPal work on a weekly and bi-weekly basis. If you’re hiring for spring services, plan to stick with your lawn care pro throughout the summer for regular mowing.
GreenPal: Spring and fall lawn care made simple
Spring and fall lawn care can be quite complicated for the average homeowner. You have to keep in mind your grass type and stay in touch with what your lawn really needs. GreenPal’s lawn care experts know what the right time is for all services, and they’ll make sure that your lawn is perfectly taken care of. Whether you need springtime aeration or fall leaf cleanup, they’re ready to help. Sign up as a new homeowner today to get started!
