Spring Lawn Care Checklist for Oregon Homeowners

Oregon winters are wet and mild, which means your lawn stays alive but often comes out of winter looking rough — compacted, mossy, and tired. The work you do in March through May sets the tone for the entire growing season. Here's our recommended spring checklist.

March: Assessment and Cleanup

Start by walking your property and assessing the lawn's condition. Note areas with standing water, heavy moss growth, bare patches, or soil compaction. Rake up any fallen debris, leaves, and twigs that accumulated over winter. A light raking also helps break up matted grass and improve air circulation.

April: Aeration, Moss Treatment, and First Mow

Core aeration is one of the most beneficial things you can do for an Oregon lawn. Our clay-heavy soils compact easily over winter, and aeration opens up channels for air, water, and nutrients to reach the root zone. April is ideal because the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Apply a moss treatment (iron-based products work well) after aeration. Wait two to three weeks for the moss to die back, then rake it out. Your first mow of the season should be at a higher setting — remove no more than one-third of the blade height.

May: Overseeding, Fertilization, and Mowing Routine

Once the bare patches from moss removal are cleaned up, overseed with a quality perennial ryegrass blend suited to the Pacific Northwest climate. Apply a slow-release spring fertilizer — look for a balanced formula with nitrogen to promote green growth. By May, you should be on a regular mowing schedule. Mow at 2.5 to 3 inches for most cool-season grasses in our region. Taller grass shades soil, retains moisture, and crowds out weeds.

Ongoing: Watering and Weed Prevention

Oregon's spring rainfall usually provides adequate moisture through May, so you likely won't need to irrigate until June. When you do start watering, deep and infrequent is better — about one inch per week, applied in one or two sessions. For weed prevention, a pre-emergent herbicide applied in early April can reduce crabgrass and other annual weeds. If you prefer organic methods, corn gluten meal is a natural pre-emergent option.

Need help getting your lawn in shape this spring? We offer comprehensive lawn care programs tailored to Oregon soil and climate conditions.