Spring Lawn Prep Checklist for Wake County Homeowners (2026)

Spring is the most important time of year for your Wake County lawn. Get the timing right and you'll have a lush, healthy yard all summer. Miss the window and you'll be playing catch-up until fall.

Here's your complete spring lawn prep checklist, tailored for Holly Springs, Apex, Fuquay-Varina, and the surrounding area.

Late February – Early March: Prep Work

**1. Clean up winter debris** - Rake leaves, sticks, and any leftover fall debris - Clear flower beds of dead plant material - This prevents mold and allows air and sunlight to reach the soil

**2. Inspect your lawn** - Look for bare spots, thinning areas, and winter damage - Check for signs of fungal disease (brown patches, rings) - Note any drainage issues — our clay soil can create standing water

**3. Sharpen or service your mower** - Dull blades tear grass instead of cutting it, leaving brown tips - If you use a lawn service (like us!), we handle this

March: First Steps

**4. Apply pre-emergent herbicide (CRITICAL TIMING)** - In Wake County, apply pre-emergent when soil temps hit 55°F consistently — usually mid-March - This prevents crabgrass and other summer weeds BEFORE they germinate - Once you see crabgrass, it's too late for pre-emergent

**5. First mow of the season** - Wait until grass is actively growing (usually mid-to-late March in Holly Springs) - Set mower height to 3 inches for fescue, 1.5 inches for bermuda - Don't cut more than 1/3 of the blade height at once

April: Feed and Treat

**6. Spring fertilization** - Apply a balanced fertilizer (like 10-10-10) to give your lawn a boost - For fescue lawns: a lighter application is fine — heavy fertilization is better saved for fall - For bermuda: this is when you ramp up feeding as it comes out of dormancy

**7. Post-emergent weed control** - Spot-treat any weeds that made it past the pre-emergent - Common Wake County spring weeds: dandelions, clover, henbit, chickweed

**8. Begin regular mowing schedule** - Fescue: mow weekly at 3–3.5 inches - Bermuda: mow weekly to bi-weekly at 1.5–2 inches

May: Establish Routine

**9. Mulch flower beds** - Apply 2–3 inches of mulch to beds - Keeps moisture in, suppresses weeds, and looks great - This is one of the highest-impact things you can do for curb appeal

**10. Water appropriately** - Established lawns in Wake County typically need 1 inch of water per week - Water deeply 2–3 times per week rather than lightly every day - Morning watering is best — reduces disease risk

Don't Want to Do It Yourself?

Spring lawn prep is a lot of work. If you'd rather spend your weekends enjoying your yard instead of working on it, Summit Exterior Services handles all of this — from the first cleanup to ongoing weekly maintenance.

**Get your free spring estimate** — call 919-777-4103 or request a quote online. We serve Holly Springs, Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Cary, and surrounding areas.