Spring Lawn Care Checklist for Southern Maine Homeowners

Spring arrives slowly in southern Maine. While homeowners in warmer climates start their lawn care routines in early March, we're often still dealing with snow melt and frozen ground well into April. This extended transition period creates both challenges and opportunities for lawn care that require a specifically Maine-focused approach.

Whether you live in Kennebunkport, Biddeford, Scarborough, or the Windham area, this month-by-month guide will help you time your spring lawn care activities for maximum results.

Understanding Southern Maine's Spring Timeline

Maine's coastal and inland areas experience spring differently. Coastal communities from Wells to Scarborough benefit from the ocean's moderating influence, often seeing earlier soil warming than towns further inland. However, coastal properties also face unique challenges like salt spray residue and sandy soils that require specific attention.

Inland communities around Windham and the lakes region typically see their last frost dates 1-2 weeks later than the coast, pushing some lawn care activities back accordingly.

March: Assessment and Planning

Early March (Weeks 1-2)

Snow may still cover your lawn during early March in southern Maine. Use this time productively: Survey Winter Damage

• Walk your property as snow melts, noting areas where plows pushed snow and road salt onto grass
• Look for vole tunnels (surface trails through matted grass)
• Identify areas where ice dams may have caused extended snow coverage
• Check for branches or debris that fell during winter storms

Plan Your Season

• Review last year's problem areas and plan solutions
• Order any grass seed varieties you'll need (quality seed sells out quickly)
• Schedule professional services if you use them
• Test your irrigation system for freeze damage once temperatures allow

Late March (Weeks 3-4)

As temperatures climb above freezing more consistently, begin light outdoor work: Remove Large Debris

• Clear fallen branches and any trash that accumulated
• Avoid walking on saturated or partially frozen soil
• Do not rake yet—grass crowns are fragile and soil is too soft

Check Equipment

• Service your mower (blade sharpening, oil change, spark plug)
• Test string trimmers and leaf blowers
• Inspect hoses and sprinkler heads for winter cracking

April: Active Recovery Begins

April represents the true start of lawn care season in southern Maine. Soil temperatures typically reach 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit, triggering grass growth.

Early April (Weeks 1-2)

Start Raking Once soil firms up and grass begins greening, gentle raking removes:

• Dead grass and thatch accumulation
• Matted areas that block light and air
• Remaining leaves and debris
• Vole runway damage (rake lightly to encourage grass recovery)

Use a spring-tine rake rather than a heavy garden rake to avoid damaging emerging grass shoots. Soil Testing Spring is ideal for testing your soil's pH and nutrient levels. Southern Maine soils tend to be naturally acidic, and our long winters mean limited microbial activity to process organic matter. A soil test from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension costs around $20 and provides specific recommendations for your property.

Most lawns in our region benefit from lime applications to raise pH, but testing confirms whether you actually need it and how much to apply.

Mid-April (Weeks 3-4)

Assess Salt Damage Coastal properties and areas near roads often show brown, dead patches from salt exposure. For minor damage:

• Water heavily to flush salts through the soil
• Apply gypsum to help neutralize sodium
• Plan to overseed these areas once soil warms

For severe salt damage, consider soil remediation or replacement before reseeding. First Mowing Your first cut should happen once grass reaches 3-4 inches tall. Set your mower height to 3 inches and follow the one-third rule—never remove more than one-third of the blade length at once.

This first mowing stimulates lateral growth and helps thicken your lawn early in the season. Apply Pre-Emergent Herbicide Timing is everything with pre-emergent crabgrass control. Apply when soil temperatures reach 55 degrees Fahrenheit for several consecutive days, typically mid-to-late April in southern Maine.

Watch for forsythia blooming as a natural indicator—when forsythia flowers drop, soil has reached the right temperature.

May: Growth and Strengthening

May brings warmer temperatures, longer days, and the most active growth period for cool-season grasses. This is when your lawn care efforts really pay dividends.

Early May (Weeks 1-2)

Core Aeration (If Needed) While fall remains the ideal aeration window, spring aeration helps lawns recovering from winter compaction. This is especially valuable for:

• High-traffic areas
• Properties with heavy clay soil (common inland toward Windham)
• Lawns that suffered significant winter damage

Spring aeration should be completed before weed seeds germinate. If you've already applied pre-emergent herbicide, skip aeration as it disrupts the chemical barrier.

For comprehensive information on aeration timing and techniques, see our guide to lawn aeration for Scarborough and surrounding areas. Overseeding Bare Spots Cool soil temperatures in May provide excellent conditions for grass seed germination. Choose seed varieties suited to your conditions:

Keep newly seeded areas consistently moist (not saturated) until grass establishes.

Mid-May (Weeks 3-4)

First Fertilizer Application Wait until your lawn has been mowed at least twice before applying spring fertilizer. This ensures grass is actively growing and can process nutrients effectively.

For southern Maine lawns:

• Use a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer
• Apply at the rate specified on the package (more is not better)
• Water lightly after application
• Avoid fertilizing before heavy rain to prevent runoff

Establish Mowing Schedule By mid-May, most lawns require weekly mowing. Best practices include:

• Mow when grass is dry
• Vary your mowing pattern each week
• Keep blades sharp (sharpen monthly during growing season)
• Leave clippings on the lawn when possible—they return nutrients to the soil

Address Weed Emergence Despite pre-emergent applications, some weeds will appear. Hand-pull young weeds when soil is moist, getting the entire root. For broadleaf weeds like dandelions, spot-treat with post-emergent herbicide rather than broadcasting across the entire lawn.

Late May

Evaluate and Adjust As Memorial Day approaches, assess your lawn's progress:

• Are bare spots filling in?
• Is color uniform across the lawn?
• Have salt-damaged areas recovered?
• Are any pest or disease issues developing?

Address problems early rather than waiting for summer stress to compound them.

Special Considerations for Coastal Properties

Lawns along the coast from Wells through Kennebunkport to Old Orchard Beach face unique spring challenges: Sandy Soil Management Coastal sandy soils warm quickly but struggle to retain moisture and nutrients. Combat this with:

• Light topdressing with compost after aeration
• More frequent, lighter fertilizer applications
• Mulching grass clippings to add organic matter
• Deeper, less frequent watering to encourage root depth

Salt Spray Recovery Homes within a half-mile of the ocean may see salt damage even without road salt exposure. Spring rains help flush accumulated salt, but heavily affected areas may need additional attention from a professional lawn care service. Wind Considerations Exposed coastal properties experience significant wind stress. Avoid applying granular products on windy days, and consider wind-resistant grass varieties for chronically affected areas.

Common Spring Mistakes to Avoid

Starting Too Early Walking on saturated soil and raking too aggressively when grass is just emerging causes more harm than good. Patience pays off. Over-Fertilizing More fertilizer does not equal greener grass. Excess nitrogen causes rapid top growth at the expense of roots, creating a lawn more susceptible to summer stress and disease. Cutting Too Short "Scalping" your lawn in spring weakens grass plants and encourages weed invasion. Maintain 3-inch height throughout the growing season. Ignoring Problem Areas Small issues become big problems when summer heat arrives. Address compaction, drainage issues, and thin spots now rather than waiting.

When to Call the Professionals

While many homeowners enjoy hands-on lawn care, certain situations benefit from professional expertise:

• Severe winter damage requiring full renovation
• Persistent bare spots that won't fill in despite repeated attempts
• Drainage issues causing standing water or erosion
• Disease identification and treatment
• Time constraints that prevent consistent maintenance

At Wakem Lawn Care, we understand southern Maine's specific growing conditions. From the sandy coastal soils of Kennebunkport to the heavier clay found inland, we tailor our approach to each property's unique characteristics.

Your Spring Lawn Care Checklist

Print this quick-reference checklist for your refrigerator: March

• [ ] Survey winter damage
• [ ] Service lawn equipment
• [ ] Plan season and order supplies
• [ ] Remove large debris when safe

April

• [ ] Complete spring raking
• [ ] Submit soil test
• [ ] Assess and treat salt damage
• [ ] First mowing when grass reaches 3-4 inches
• [ ] Apply pre-emergent herbicide at 55 degrees F soil temp

May

• [ ] Aerate if needed (before weed seeds germinate)
• [ ] Overseed bare spots
• [ ] Begin regular mowing schedule
• [ ] Apply first fertilizer application
• [ ] Hand-pull or spot-treat emerging weeds
• [ ] Evaluate progress and adjust plan

Start Your Spring Right

A beautiful summer lawn starts with proper spring preparation. By following this timeline and addressing your lawn's specific needs, you'll establish the foundation for healthy, resilient turf that handles whatever Maine's weather brings.

Ready to discuss your lawn's spring care needs? Our landscaping team can help with everything from basic maintenance programs to complete lawn renovations. Whether you're in Kennebunkport, Scarborough, Windham, or anywhere in southern Maine, contact Wakem Lawn Care for a free consultation and customized care plan.

When fall arrives, we'll also be here to help prepare your property for winter—but for now, let's focus on giving your lawn the strong start it deserves this spring.