Spring Lawn Revival: How to Bring Your Grass Back After a Hard Ontario Winter

After a long London winter, your lawn is ready to wake up — but it needs a little help to do it right. April is the sweet spot: the ground has thawed, daytime temperatures are climbing, and your cool-season grass is eager to grow. Here's how to give it the best possible start.

Start with a Thorough Cleanup

Before you do anything else, clear the lawn of everything winter left behind. Fallen branches, matted leaves, and any debris that collected under the snow need to come off the surface. Left in place, they block light and airflow and create perfect conditions for disease.

Pay special attention to areas where snow sat the longest — typically shaded spots or low areas. These sections are most likely to show signs of snow mould: a greyish-white or pinkish fungal coating that can mat down the grass and kill it if left untreated. If you see it, rake the affected area gently to break it up and allow air circulation. Mild cases usually recover on their own once the lawn dries out.

Rake Before You Do Anything Else

A good spring raking does two things. First, it removes dead material (called thatch) that builds up between the grass blades and the soil. A thin layer of thatch is fine; a thick layer prevents water, air, and fertilizer from reaching the roots. Second, raking lifts matted grass blades upright so they can access sunlight again.

Use a leaf rake — not a rigid garden rake — and go in multiple directions across the lawn. You'll be surprised how much material comes up.

Don't Rush the First Mow

It's tempting to get out there and mow as soon as you see green. But wait until the grass has actively started growing and is at least 3 to 4 inches tall. Cutting too early stresses a lawn that's still recovering. When you do mow for the first time, set the blade high — take off no more than a third of the blade length.

Assess Thin or Bare Spots

Winter often leaves behind patches where the grass died, thinned, or was damaged by ice, salt, or heavy foot traffic. April is the right time to overseed these areas. Loosen the soil lightly with a rake, apply grass seed appropriate for your lawn type, press it in with your foot or a roller, and keep it moist until it germinates. Cool-season grasses germinate well in April's soil temperatures.

Fertilize — But Lightly

A light spring fertilizer application can give your lawn a boost, but hold off on heavy nitrogen applications until May. Too much too early can push rapid top growth at the expense of root development, leaving you with a lawn that looks green but isn't very resilient. Look for a balanced spring fertilizer and follow the package directions.

The Payoff Is All Summer Long

A little effort in April pays dividends all the way through October. Lawns that get a proper spring start fill in faster, resist drought better, and need less intervention during the summer months.

Lawns & Lanes offers spring lawn care services including cleanup, overseeding, and seasonal maintenance. Call us at 226.234.6541 or visit lawnsandlanes.ca to get on the schedule before spots fill up.