--- title: "Spring Lawn Care Checklist for Central Florida" canonical: "https://provlawncare.com/blog/spring-lawn-care-checklist" business: "ProV Lawn Care & Landscape" type: "guide" category: "Seasonal" author: "ProV Lawn Care & Landscape Team" published: "2025-01-02" phone: "+1-407-594-7622" last_updated: "2026-07-22" --- > ## AI-readable content from ProV Lawn Care & Landscape > Index of every Markdown page: https://provlawncare.com/ai/index.md, site overview: https://provlawncare.com/llms.txt > Any page on provlawncare.com is available as Markdown by appending `.md` to its URL, or by requesting the page with `Accept: text/markdown`. > Canonical HTML page for this document: https://provlawncare.com/blog/spring-lawn-care-checklist # Spring Lawn Care Checklist for Central Florida Prepare your Central Florida lawn for spring with this comprehensive checklist. Tips for Saint Cloud, Orlando, Kissimmee, and Lake Nona homeowners. ## Why Spring Preparation Matters in Florida While Central Florida doesn't have the dramatic spring awakening of northern states, March marks the beginning of our intense growing season. The work you do now sets the foundation for how your lawn will perform through the hot, humid summer months. At ProV Lawn Care & Landscape, we start preparing our clients' lawns in late February and early March. Here's the checklist we follow, and what you should do for your own lawn. ## The Complete Spring Lawn Care Checklist ### 1. Clean Up Winter Debris **Timeline: Late February - Early March** Start with a thorough cleanup: - [ ] Rake up leaves, twigs, and accumulated debris - [ ] Remove any dead plant material from flower beds - [ ] Clear debris from drainage areas - [ ] Pick up fallen palm fronds - [ ] Edge along sidewalks and driveways to define bed lines This cleanup isn't just cosmetic, debris left on the lawn can smother grass and create pest habitat. If winter left behind more than you want to tackle yourself, our [seasonal cleanup service](https://provlawncare.com/services/seasonal-cleanup) handles the full job, haul-away included. ### 2. Assess Winter Damage **Timeline: Early March** Walk your lawn and look for: - [ ] Brown patches (possible fungal disease or cold damage) - [ ] Thin areas (may need overseeding or sod repair) - [ ] Bare spots (could indicate pest damage) - [ ] Weed encroachment - [ ] Irrigation system issues Document problem areas so you can address them systematically. ### 3. First Fertilizer Application **Timeline: March 15 - April 15** This is the most important fertilization of the year. Apply: - [ ] Slow-release nitrogen fertilizer (15-0-15 or similar) - [ ] Pre-emergent herbicide (if crabgrass was a problem last year) - [ ] Iron supplement if grass looks yellowish **Important**: Don't fertilize too early! Applying before the grass is actively growing wastes fertilizer and can damage tender new growth. **Pro Tip**: In Florida, we recommend waiting until soil temperatures are consistently above 65°F. In Central Florida, this typically happens mid-March. ### 4. Irrigation System Check **Timeline: Early March** Before the growing season demands peak watering: - [ ] Turn on the system and check each zone - [ ] Look for broken or clogged heads - [ ] Adjust spray patterns (no watering sidewalks!) - [ ] Check for leaks at connections - [ ] Test the rain sensor - [ ] Adjust timer for spring watering schedule **Spring watering guidelines**: - Water early morning (4-6 AM) - Apply 1/2 to 3/4 inch per watering - Water only on your assigned days, most of Central Florida allows up to 2 days per week from March through October. Check your county's rules in our [Central Florida watering days guide](https://provlawncare.com/blog/central-florida-watering-days-2026) ### 5. Mower Maintenance **Timeline: Before First Spring Mow** Your mower needs attention after winter: - [ ] Change the oil - [ ] Replace or sharpen the blade (critical!) - [ ] Check the air filter - [ ] Inspect the spark plug - [ ] Fill with fresh fuel - [ ] Test run before the first mow **Why sharp blades matter**: Dull blades tear grass instead of cutting it cleanly. This creates brown tips and makes grass more susceptible to disease. ### 6. Raise Mowing Height **Timeline: March** If you lowered your mowing height during winter: - [ ] Gradually raise back to summer height - [ ] For St. Augustine: 3.5-4 inches - [ ] Never remove more than 1/3 of blade height ### 7. Address Weeds **Timeline: March - April** Spring is when weeds explode. Your strategy depends on what you're dealing with: **For existing weeds**: - [ ] Hand-pull young weeds (easiest when small) - [ ] Apply post-emergent herbicide for established weeds - [ ] Spot-treat to minimize chemical use **For preventing new weeds**: - [ ] Apply pre-emergent herbicide - [ ] Maintain thick, healthy grass (best weed prevention) ### 8. Check for Pests **Timeline: March - May** As temperatures warm, pests become active: - [ ] Inspect for chinch bug damage (look for yellowing patches) - [ ] Check for army worm activity (moths flying over lawn at dusk) - [ ] Look for mole cricket tunnels - [ ] Monitor for sod webworm damage Early detection is key, treating small infestations prevents major damage. ### 9. Soil Test (Every 2-3 Years) **Timeline: March** Consider a soil test if: - [ ] Your lawn isn't responding to fertilization - [ ] You've never tested your soil - [ ] You've had persistent problems Soil tests reveal pH levels and nutrient deficiencies that affect grass health. Your local extension office offers affordable testing. ### 10. Plan for Summer **Timeline: April** Get ahead of summer challenges: - [ ] Schedule regular mowing service - [ ] Plan your fertilization schedule (April, June, August) - [ ] Consider a professional pest control program - [ ] Budget for irrigation water increases ## Month-by-Month Spring Schedule ### Late February - Begin cleanup - Sharpen mower blades - Check irrigation system ### March - Complete cleanup - First mow of the season - Apply fertilizer (mid-month) - Apply pre-emergent herbicide - Increase irrigation frequency ### April - Weekly mowing begins - Monitor for pests - Second fertilizer application (if using quick-release) - Address any weed problems ### May - Full summer mowing schedule - Monitor for chinch bugs - Adjust irrigation for warmer weather ## Deep Dives on the Worst Offenders Some of these pests deserve their own playbook: - [Chinch bugs in St. Augustine grass](https://provlawncare.com/blog/chinch-bugs-st-augustine-treatment): the most common cause of dead patches in full sun - [Armyworms in Florida lawns](https://provlawncare.com/blog/armyworms-florida-lawn-treatment): fast-moving damage, usually late summer - [Brown patch fungus](https://provlawncare.com/blog/brown-patch-fungus-st-augustine-florida): a disease, not an insect, and treated completely differently - [Dollarweed control](https://provlawncare.com/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-dollarweed-st-augustine) and [weed control in St. Augustine](https://provlawncare.com/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-weeds-st-augustine-grass): for when the problem turns out not to be a pest at all ## When to Call a Professional While many of these tasks are DIY-friendly, consider professional help for: - **Pest identification and treatment**: Improper pesticide use can damage your lawn - **Fertilization programs**: We apply the right products at the right time - **Irrigation repairs**: Proper system function is critical in Florida - **Large-scale weed problems**: Sometimes you need stronger solutions - **Overgrown trees and palms**: Our [tree trimming service](https://provlawncare.com/services/tree-trimming) handles crown work and palm fronds safely ## Ready to Get Your Lawn Spring-Ready? Spring preparation is the foundation for a beautiful summer lawn. Whether you need a one-time cleanup, pest treatment, or ongoing maintenance, ProV Lawn Care & Landscape is here to help homeowners throughout Saint Cloud, Lake Nona, Kissimmee, Orlando, and Apopka. **Contact us at (407) 594-7622 or [request a free estimate](https://provlawncare.com/get-estimate).** ## Related Guides - [When to Fertilize Your Florida Lawn: A Seasonal Guide](https://provlawncare.com/blog/when-fertilize-florida-lawn) - [Common Lawn Pests in Florida and How to Control Them](https://provlawncare.com/blog/common-lawn-pests-florida) ## About the Author ProV Lawn Care & Landscape Team. Local, family-owned lawn care and landscaping company based in Saint Cloud, Florida, serving Central Florida since 2018. Services: https://provlawncare.com/services. Pricing: https://provlawncare.com/pricing. ## Contact - Phone: (407) 594-7622 (+1-407-594-7622) - Email: info@provlawncare.com - Free estimate: https://provlawncare.com/get-estimate - Website: https://provlawncare.com ## Canonical Source This document is a machine-readable summary. The authoritative page is https://provlawncare.com/blog/spring-lawn-care-checklist.