NJ Lawns Community

It's January but I'm already planning for spring! When should I start lawn prep in NJ? I've heard different things - some say March, others say April. What should I do and when? Also wondering about overseeding - is spring a good time or should I wait until fall?

Great planning ahead! Here's a typical NJ spring lawn care timeline: **Late February - Early March**: - Clean up any debris that blew in over winter - Start watching for snow mold (usually resolves on its own) - Service your mower (sharpen blade, change oil, etc.) **Mid-March**: - First fertilization (pre-emergent for crabgrass prevention) - If soil temps reach 55°F, you can start light overseeding **April**: - Apply broadleaf weed control (when dandelions start appearing) - Continue mowing (never remove more than 1/3 of grass blade) **May**: - Second fertilization - Begin regular watering schedule - First real mow of the season (mow LOW for first cut!) As for overseeding - fall is IDEAL for cool-season grass in NJ. But spring can work if you need to fill bare spots. Just know that summer weeds will compete with new seedlings.