Start the Season Right—with a Little Help from Your Local Lawn Pros
If you’re a homeowner in Rowan, Cabarrus, or Stanly County, you know spring doesn’t just show up, it jumps in full force. And your lawn? It’s been waiting all winter for a little TLC.
To make your life easier, we put together this checklist to guide you through spring lawn care one step at a time. But don’t worry! You don’t have to go it alone. At any point in time, if you ever need a hand, United Family Lawn Care is right here to help. Just click on the Contact option in our header menu.
Here’s a quick outline of what we’re going to be talking about:
- We Start with the Soil (Late February – March)
- Clear Out the Winter Mess (Early to Mid-March)
- Let It Breathe: Aeration (Mid to Late March)
- Keep Weeds from Taking Over (Late March – Early April)
- Feed Your Lawn the Right Way (April)
- Mow with Intention (Starting in April)
- Fix the Patchy Spots (April – May)
- Water Smart, Not Hard
- Edge and Define Your Lawn
- Mulch and Protect Your Garden Beds
1. We Start with the Soil (Late February – March)
Before we do anything else, we test the soil. This helps us know exactly what your lawn needs and what to skip.
- Why It Matters: Many North Carolina lawns have compacted, acidic soil. A simple test can save you time and money by telling you what nutrients to add (or avoid).
- What We Can Do: We can handle soil testing for you or recommend a good home kit.
2. Clear Out the Winter Mess (Early to Mid-March)
Winter can leave behind branches, leaves, and clumps of thatch that stop your lawn from breathing.
- Why It Matters: If debris blocks sunlight or moisture, your lawn won’t grow right.
- What We Can Do: We’ll clean up your yard and dethatch if needed, so your grass gets a clean start.
3. Let It Breathe: Aeration (Mid to Late March)
If your soil is packed down from rain or foot traffic, your roots might be suffocating.
- Why It Matters: Aerating allows air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots where they’re needed most.
- What We Can Do: Our aeration service takes the guesswork—and the labor—out of the process.
4. Keep Weeds from Taking Over (Late March – Early April)
Spring is when crabgrass and other weeds try to sneak in. Pre-emergent weed control can stop them before they start.
- Why It Matters: Preventing weeds now means less spraying later—and a greener, thicker lawn.
- What We Can Do: We offer both organic and traditional weed control options. We’ll talk through what’s best for your yard and goals.
5. Feed Your Lawn the Right Way (April)
Your lawn is waking up hungry. A slow-release fertilizer gives it the nutrients it needs without overwhelming it.
- Why It Matters: Over-fertilizing can burn your lawn. The right balance encourages strong, steady growth.
- What We Can Do: We apply the right fertilizer based on your soil test and grass type.
6. Mow with Intention (Starting in April)
The first few cuts in spring set the tone for the rest of the season.
- Why It Matters: Cutting too low too early stresses your grass. Leaving it a little higher helps the roots grow stronger.
- What We Can Do: Our mowing service is customized to your grass type and the season. No scalping here—just healthy, even cuts.
7. Fix the Patchy Spots (April – May)
If you’ve got bare spots or thin areas, now’s the time to seed before the summer heat hits.
- Why It Matters: Overseeding in spring gives new grass time to grow strong roots.
- What We Can Do: We can reseed problem areas with the right type of grass for your yard and climate.
8. Water Smart, Not Hard
Too much water is just as bad as too little. Let’s find your lawn’s happy place.
- Why It Matters: Inconsistent watering leads to shallow roots, weak grass, and even disease.
- What We Can Do: We’ll help you create a watering schedule—or even set up an irrigation system if needed.
9. Edge and Define Your Lawn
A clean edge gives your lawn that crisp, professional look that makes your whole yard pop.
- Why It Matters: Edging prevents grass from creeping into flower beds and sidewalks, making everything look tidier.
- What We Can Do: We offer precision edging services that keep your lawn lines clean and defined.
10. Mulch and Protect Your Garden Beds
While your grass is growing, don’t forget about your garden beds. Fresh mulch adds beauty and protects your plants.
- Why It Matters: Mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature, plus it just looks good.
- What We Can Do: We can install mulch in the color and style that fits your yard’s personality.
You Don’t Have to Do It All Yourself
Your lawn doesn’t have to be a second full-time job. At United Family Lawn Care, we believe in helping families enjoy their outdoor space without the stress. Whether you want to do a little or a lot yourself, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
➡️ Ready for a greener, easier spring? Contact us here and let’s talk about what your lawn needs this season.
If you’re looking for more DIY lawn care guides, checkout these resources below that are great for all levels, from beginner to pro:
This is such a helpful spring lawn care checklist—thanks for breaking it down step-by-step! I’m especially curious about the timing for aeration and overseeding. If I plan to do both, should one come before the other, or can they be done at the same time? Also, how soon after aeration is it best to apply fertilizer or seed?
Appreciate any tips—trying to give my lawn the healthiest start possible this season!
Hey Jason,
I’m so glad you found the checklist helpful and great questions!
When it comes to spring lawn care in areas like Stanly, Rowan, and Cabarrus counties here in North Carolina, getting the timing right on aeration and overseeding can really set your lawn up for success.
Here’s the best approach for our local conditions:
Start with aeration – This loosens compacted soil, especially after winter, and allows water, nutrients, and seed to reach the roots more effectively.Follow up with overseeding – Ideally right after aerating. The seed can settle into the holes for better germination, which is important for thickening up your lawn.Apply a starter fertilizer – Do this after seeding to encourage strong early growth. Just make sure it’s a seed-safe formula without weed control additives.
It’s best to do all three steps in the same day or close together to maximize the benefits. And don’t forget, keeping the area moist (but not soaked) after seeding is key for healthy germination.
If you’re in Stanly, Rowan, or Cabarrus County and want help choosing the right seed blend for our local climate and soil, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to help!
Talk to you soon,
Marlinda
Some great advice to get the perfect lawn growing in your garden. It makes sense to give it a bit of care all year round to reap the long term rewards of a lush and beautiful garden.
I guess living in South Africa, I will have to reverse these months around, as our seasons are different.
We battle a lot with weeds growing in our grass here. Do you have any products that you can recommend to get rid of this problem. I try to avoid using poison with too many chemicals, as I am scared our pets will get sick.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! You’re absolutely right—consistent care throughout the year really does pay off in the long run. And yes, flipping the seasonal advice for the Southern Hemisphere makes perfect sense. I always appreciate hearing from folks in different climates!
When it comes to tackling weeds without harsh chemicals, I completely understand your concern for your pets. There are a few pet-safe options you might find helpful. Look for organic or natural weed control products that use ingredients like iron (FeHEDTA), citric acid, or clove oil. These tend to be gentler on the environment and safer around pets, especially once they’ve dried.
You can also try overseeding to thicken your lawn and crowd out weeds naturally, and regular mowing at the right height helps keep many weeds from going to seed.
If you’d like, I can put together a short guide with pet-friendly weed control tips and product suggestions that might be available or adaptable for your region. Just let me know!
This checklist is exactly what I needed — thank you! I have friends who live in Cabarrus County. I often help them with their garden, and every year we mean to get ahead of spring lawn care, but it always sneaks up on us. This step-by-step guide breaks things down in such a clear, manageable way. I’ll definitely be sharing it with them!
The aeration tip stood out to me — I don’t think we ever had it done, but the soil definitely gets compacted from kids running around all winter (and maybe us grown-ups, too!). Also really appreciated the reminder to test the soil before fertilizing. We’ve definitely thrown down fertilizer in the past without knowing what the yard actually needed… probably wasted money and didn’t help the grass much either.
One question — do you recommend aeration and overseeding at the same time, or should they be spaced out?
Also love how you emphasized “mow with intention” — it’s something we overlook. We’ve scalped the lawn early in the season before, and it definitely struggled for weeks after.
I’ll definitely keep United Family Lawn Care in mind. Even though we like doing some of this ourselves, it’s great knowing you all are here when we need backup. Appreciate how approachable and local this guide feels!
Hey Michael,
Thank you so much for the kind and thoughtful comment—it means a lot! I’m especially glad to hear you’ll be sharing the checklist with friends in Cabarrus County. That’s right in our service area, so we know firsthand how quickly spring can creep up in this region!
You nailed it on soil compaction—between kids, pets, and even just everyday use, lawns in Cabarrus (and neighboring Stanly and Rowan counties too) often benefit from spring aeration. It’s one of the best ways to refresh the soil and give your grass room to breathe and grow.
As for your question—yes, aeration and overseeding should be done at the same time whenever possible. Aerate first to open up the soil, then seed immediately afterward so those seeds can settle right into the holes. It gives you much better results than spacing them out, especially if you follow up with a quality starter fertilizer and light watering.
And thank you for pointing out the “mow with intention” tip—it’s such a small shift that can make a big difference. Scalping the lawn too early is a common issue in our area, especially with the mix of cool and warm-season grasses.
If you or your friends ever want help with lawn care in Cabarrus County, we’d love to step in. Whether it’s a one-time seasonal service or a bit of backup when life gets busy, United Family Lawn Care is here to help keep things looking great, without the stress.
Thanks again for your support!
Marlinda