Spring is when Ottawa lawns recover from winter and set the foundation for the entire growing season. Getting the timing right -- cleanup, overseeding, fertilizing, and the first mow -- makes the difference between a lawn that thrives through summer and one that struggles from the start.
Mid-April: the cleanup
Once the snow melts and the ground firms up (usually mid-April in Ottawa), start with a full-property cleanup. Remove fallen branches, dead leaves, and matted grass that accumulated over winter. This debris blocks sunlight and traps moisture against the soil, creating conditions for snow mould and other fungal problems.
Rake or blow out garden beds, clear debris from around fence posts and trees, and edge along walkways and driveways to define the bed lines. A clean property lets the grass breathe and lets you see exactly what needs attention.
Late April to early May: overseed and top-dress
Look for thin or bare patches while you're doing the cleanup. Late April through early May is the ideal window to overseed in Ottawa. The soil is warming up, spring rains keep it moist, and there's enough time for seed to establish before summer heat arrives.
Spread seed over thin areas, ideally with a light top-dressing of quality soil to improve seed-to-soil contact. Keep the area consistently moist for two to three weeks. For larger bare patches, consider sod installation for an instant result.
Early May: fertilize
Apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer in early May. This feeds the lawn through the spring growth surge and encourages the deep root development that carries the turf through Ottawa's hot, dry stretches in July and August. Avoid quick-release nitrogen that pushes fast, weak growth and needs frequent reapplication.
For lawns on a maintenance plan, fertilizing is included as part of seasonal service.
Late April through May: first mow
Start mowing when the grass reaches about seven to eight centimetres (three inches). The first cut of the season should be at a normal height -- don't scalp the lawn. A sharp blade is essential. Dull blades tear the grass instead of cutting it, leaving ragged brown tips that invite disease.
From this point, switch to regular scheduled mowing through the summer months.
May through June: weed prevention
Spring is when crabgrass and other annual weeds germinate. A thick, healthy lawn is the best defence -- dense turf shades the soil and prevents weed seeds from reaching sunlight. If your lawn is thin, overseeding in spring does double duty: it fills bare spots and crowds out weeds.
For persistent weed problems, targeted weed removal during regular service visits keeps things under control without blanket herbicide applications.
What to avoid in spring
- Mowing too early: Don't mow while the ground is still soft and saturated. You'll leave ruts and compact the soil.
- Scalping the lawn: Cutting too short stresses the grass right when it's trying to build energy reserves for summer.
- Over-fertilizing: Too much nitrogen pushes fast, weak growth that's vulnerable to heat and drought.
- Ignoring thatch: If there's more than one centimetre of dead material between the green grass and the soil surface, consider dethatching before fertilizing.
How Adel's Yard Services helps
Our spring yard cleanup service covers thorough debris removal, dethatching, bed edging, and hauling. We also offer overseeding, fertilizing, and scheduled mowing as part of our property maintenance plans. If you're not sure what your lawn needs this spring, send us your address and we'll take a look and come back with a recommendation.