Spring Lawn Care Checklist for Salt Lake County Homeowners

After a long Utah winter, your lawn needs a little help to bounce back. Snow, freezing temperatures and dry winter air take a toll, and summer heat is never far away. This checklist will help you get your yard in shape this spring.

1. Clean Up the Yard

Once the snow melts and the ground firms up, start with a cleanup:

• Rake up leaves, twigs and debris left from fall and winter
• Gently rake matted areas to help the grass breathe
• Clear out flower beds and trim back dead plant material

Try not to work the lawn while it's soggy. Walking on wet clay soil compacts it, and compacted soil makes it harder for roots to grow.

2. Aerate Compacted Soil

Clay soil is common across Salt Lake County, and it compacts easily. Core aeration pulls small plugs of soil from the lawn so air, water and nutrients can reach the roots. Spring is a good time to aerate once the lawn is actively growing.

3. Start Up Your Sprinklers Carefully

Wait until the risk of a hard freeze has passed before turning your system back on. When you do:

1. Open the main valve slowly to avoid a pressure surge
2. Run each zone and look for leaks, broken heads or weak spray
3. Adjust heads so they water the lawn, not the sidewalk or driveway
4. Set your controller for spring conditions, which usually means less water than in summer

Freeze damage often shows up during startup, so watch closely.

4. Fertilize at the Right Time

A spring feeding helps your lawn green up and build strength before summer. Follow the product directions, and don't overdo it. Too much fertilizer early in the season can push fast top growth at the expense of healthy roots.

5. Control Weeds Early

Spring is a key time to prevent weeds like crabgrass. Pre-emergent products work best before weed seeds sprout, so timing matters. Spot-treat broadleaf weeds like dandelions as they show up.

6. Mow High and Keep Blades Sharp

• Keep grass on the taller side, which shades the soil and helps it hold moisture
• Don't cut off more than about a third of the blade at once
• Sharpen your mower blades so they cut cleanly instead of tearing

7. Water Deeply, Not Daily

Utah summers are dry, so good watering habits matter. Water deeply and less often to encourage deep roots, and water early in the morning to cut down on evaporation. Clay soil absorbs water slowly, so short cycles with breaks in between can help prevent runoff.

8. Plan Ahead for Summer

Spring is a good time to fix bare spots, refresh mulch in beds and plan any landscape projects, before the heat of summer arrives.

Let Everwork Take Care of Your Lawn

Don't want to tackle the checklist yourself? Everwork is a family-owned business based in Sandy, serving homeowners across Salt Lake County. Learn more about our lawn maintenance service, or contact us or call (801) 875-8109 to get your yard ready for the season.