Ask the Experts

5 Must-Do Spring Lawn Care Tips for a Healthy Dallas Landscape

Spring in North Texas brings warmer temperatures, blooming landscapes, and the perfect opportunity to prepare your lawn for the growing season. After winter dormancy, your lawn needs proper care to strengthen root systems, improve soil health, and prevent common issues like weeds and disease.

Bridget Redmond, manager of client relations at Southern Botanical, shares her insights to assist homeowners in taking the best approach to residential lawn care in Dallas. She provides expert spring lawn maintenance tips—including aeration, fertilizing, overseeding, and weed prevention—to ensure a lush, healthy lawn all season long.

1. Aeration: Strengthening Root Systems for Summer

One of the most important spring lawn care steps in Dallas is aerating your lawn. Over time, clay soils in North Texas become compacted, making it difficult for water, air, and nutrients to reach the deep root system. Aeration services in Dallas help break up compacted soil, improving drainage and promoting stronger root systems.

“Aeration is extremely beneficial by removing compaction from the soil profile and allowing new organic matter to penetrate the surface zone,” says Redmond. “It strengthens root zones before summer stress.”

The best time of year to aerate is mid-to-late April through mid-May. Aeration pairs well with fertilizer application, which provides essential nutrients to grass grow deeper and stronger.

2. Fertilizing: Timing It Right for Spring Growth

Fertilizing lawns in Dallas requires careful timing to avoid fungal growth and other lawn issues. Applying fertilizer too early, before soil temperatures warm up, can do more harm than good.

“Spring fertilization happens at the same time as aeration—mid-to-late April through mid-May,” Redmond explains. “We want soil temperatures to be as warm as possible before applying fertilizers.”

Homeowners with St. Augustine grass should be cautious—this popular warm-season grass is prone to fungal issues if over-fertilized. Choosing the right lawn fertilizers is also key. If you’re not sure which fertilizer application is best for your lawn, consult a lawn care service to ensure your soil gets the right balance of nutrients.

3. Overseeding: Filling in Bare Spots for a Thicker Lawn

If your lawn has bare spots or thin patches, overseeding Dallas lawns can help improve density and curb weed growth. However, overseeding isn’t just about aesthetics—it also reduces dependency on chemicals like pre-emergents.

“Overseeding relieves the lawn of normal chemical applications,” Redmond says. “Spraying pre-emergents year after year can wear down a soil profile, eventually causing it to lack organic matter.”

While fall is typically the best time for overseeding, some homeowners choose to overseed in spring to strengthen their lawns before summer heat arrives. The right cool-season grasses can help fill in bare spots and add color during colder months.

“Rye seed works best due to the amount of heat we receive during the seeding process in October and November,” Redmond notes. “Fescue grasses are also prominent and viable, but Kentucky bluegrass, bentgrass, and Poa trivialis are not ideal for North Texas climates.”

For best results, combine overseeding with aeration services to maximize seed-to-soil contact and improve germination rates.

4. Weed Prevention: Keeping Lawns Thick and Resilient

“The best weed prevention in spring is thick, healthy turf grass,” Redmond explains. “It limits the space and food source for unwanted weeds.” Weeds thrive in weak, patchy lawns, which is why homeowners should focus on building strong turf first.

Applying pre-emergent herbicides before weeds sprout can help, but it’s important not to overuse them. Post-emergent applications can be used for weeds that have already appeared.

Other lawn maintenance spring tips for weed control include:

  • Mowing regularly at the right height for your grass type.
  • Watering your lawn properly—overwatering can encourage weed growth.
  • Irrigation system maintenance to ensure even water distribution.
  • Aeration and overseeding to strengthen your lawn naturally.

5. Further Prevention: Lawn Disease and Pests

Aside from weeds, Dallas homeowners often battle lawn pests and fungal diseases, especially in St. Augustine lawns. Redmond notes that last year, her team saw a significant increase in turf fungus in Dallas lawns.

To reduce the risk of disease:

  • Apply preventative fungicides before April to protect grass and plants
  • Ensure proper drainage to prevent standing water in compacted soil
  • Monitor for lawn pests like grubs and chinch bugs, which become active in summer

Spring Lawn Care in Dallas

Keeping your lawn healthy in spring requires a combination of aeration, fertilization, overseeding, and weed prevention. Here’s a quick recap of the best spring lawn care tips for Dallas homeowners:

  • Aerate in mid-to-late April to relieve soil compaction and improve root systems.
  • Fertilize your lawn at the right time (mid-to-late April) to avoid fungal issues.
  • Overseed to fill in bare spots and promote a thicker, healthier lawn.
  • Prevent weeds by maintaining a dense lawn and applying herbicides as needed.
  • Monitor your irrigation system to avoid overwatering and reduce fungal risks.

With proper residential landscape maintenance in Dallas, your lawn can thrive throughout the spring and summer months. For expert Dallas lawn maintenance, contact Southern Botanical today and let our professionals handle your aeration, overseeding, and fertilization needs for a picture-perfect lawn!