Blog
A Guide to Spring Lawn Care: Timing, pH, Fertilizer & Reseeding
Apr
At Sixteen Acres Garden Center, we know Western Massachusetts lawns come out of winter in all kinds of conditions—from patchy and pale to lush but hungry for nutrients. Whether you’re maintaining a thick, established lawn or trying to fix bare spots, early spring is the time to set your yard up for success.
Step One: When to Start?
Timing is everything in lawn care. You don’t need a calendar—just look to nature!
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Apply Step 1 (Crabgrass Preventer) after Forsythia blooms but before Lilacs bloom.
Forsythia’s bright yellow flowers are your first cue that soil temperatures are warming, and it’s nearly time to put down your first lawn care product. Waiting until lilacs start to bloom may be too late for effective crabgrass prevention.
Sixteen Acres carries Jonathan Green and GreenView 4-step programs, both of which include early-season products that feed your lawn while preventing crabgrass. Ask our team which brand best suits your lawn’s needs—we’re happy to help you compare!
Understanding Your Lawn’s pH: Why Lime Matters
Western Mass soil tends to be acidic, which can block nutrients from being absorbed—even when you fertilize. That’s where lime comes in.
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A pH of 6.2–7.0 is ideal for most lawns.
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Apply lime in early spring or fall to neutralize acidic soil and help your lawn absorb nutrients better.
We recommend using a soil test (available in-store) to check your pH. For pH correction, look to Jonathan Green’s Mag-I-Cal or fast-acting pelletized lime—both available right here at Sixteen Acres.
What If You’re Reseeding?
If your lawn needs patching or a total renovation, timing and fertilizer choice are critical.
DO NOT use crabgrass preventer in areas you are reseeding—it will prevent grass seed from germinating too.
Instead:
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Use a starter fertilizer, like Jonathan Green’s Green-Up for Seeding & Sodding or GreenView Starter Fertilizer, specially formulated to boost new grass growth without the weed prevention chemicals that interfere with seed germination.
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Seed when soil temps are above 50°F—typically mid to late April here in the Springfield area.
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Keep the seedbed consistently moist until grass reaches mowing height.
A Quick Overview: Fertilizer Timing
| Lawn Task | Product Type | Recommended Time |
|---|---|---|
| Crabgrass Prevention | Jonathan Green Step 1 or GreenView Crabgrass Preventer | After Forsythia blooms but before Lilacs bloom |
| Reseeding | Starter Fertilizer | Mid-to-late April through early May |
| Feeding & Weed Control | Jonathan Green Step 2 or GreenView Weed & Feed | Late spring (after 2nd mowing) |
| Summer Feeding | Jonathan Green Step 3 or GreenView Lawn Food | June–July |
| Fall Feeding & Winter Prep | Jonathan Green Step 4 or GreenView Fall Lawn Food | September–October |
Need Help Choosing?
Every lawn is unique—sun, shade, soil, use, and age all factor into what it needs. That’s why we stock both Jonathan Green and GreenView—two trusted names in turf care with different strengths and formulations.
Stop by the store for personalized advice, soil testing kits, and all the products you need for a lush, healthy lawn.
And don’t forget—you can track lawn care timing, get reminders, and check for in-store promotions by downloading the Sixteen Acres Garden Center app:
