March Lawn Care in Georgia: Preparing Your Yard for a Lush Spring

As winter fades away and the first signs of spring emerge, March is a crucial month for lawn care in Georgia. With warmer temperatures, increased rainfall, and longer daylight hours, your lawn is waking up from dormancy and preparing for a new growing season. However, if you don’t take the proper steps now, your yard may struggle with weeds, patchy growth, and unhealthy grass in the months ahead.

At Everlast Lawns & Landscapes, we help homeowners in Cumming, Alpharetta, and surrounding Georgia areas get their lawns in top shape for spring. Whether you have Bermuda, Zoysia, or Fescue grass, here’s what you need to know about March lawn care in Georgia and how to set your yard up for success.

Why March is a Critical Month for Lawn Care in Georgia

March in Georgia brings mild temperatures averaging between 50-70°F and increased rainfall, making it the perfect time to jumpstart your lawn’s health. However, this transitional month also comes with challenges:

• Weeds begin to emerge before your grass is fully green.
• Spring rains can lead to poor drainage issues if not managed properly.
• Soil compaction from winter weather can hinder grass growth.
• Pests and fungal diseases thrive in humid, warming conditions.

A proactive lawn care plan in March ensures your yard is healthy, green, and resilient for the rest of the year.

Key March Lawn Care Tasks in Georgia

1. Apply Pre-Emergent Weed Control

Georgia lawns are prone to weeds like crabgrass, dandelions, and clover, which thrive in the warming spring temperatures. If you wait too long to treat them, they will spread aggressively and compete with your grass for nutrients.

• Pre-emergent herbicides create a barrier that prevents weed seeds from germinating.
• Apply pre-emergents before soil temperatures reach 55°F, typically in early to mid-March.
• Studies show that properly timed pre-emergent applications reduce weed growth by up to 80%.

Pro Tip: Use a soil temperature tracker to ensure you apply pre-emergents at the right time.

2. Aerate to Relieve Soil Compaction

If your lawn feels hard, has poor drainage, or has patchy growth, soil compaction could be the problem. The heavy rains and cold temperatures of winter compress the soil, making it difficult for grass roots to absorb water and nutrients.

• Core aeration loosens compacted soil, allowing air, water, and fertilizer to reach the roots.
• March is a great time for aerating warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia before they begin active growth.
• Lawns that are aerated regularly can grow up to 30% thicker than those that are not.

Pro Tip: If you have Fescue grass, avoid aerating in March and wait until the fall.

3. Fertilize Wisely for Strong Spring Growth

Your lawn needs the right nutrients to wake up from dormancy and thrive. However, applying fertilizer too early can lead to weak root development and wasted nutrients.

• Warm-season grasses (Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede): Hold off on fertilizing until late April or early May when active growth starts.
• Cool-season grasses (Fescue, Ryegrass): Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early March to promote healthy spring growth.

Pro Tip: A soil test helps determine exactly what nutrients your lawn needs, preventing over-fertilization that can damage the grass.

4. Mow with Caution

March is not the time for aggressive mowing, but you should start gradually lowering your mower height as temperatures warm up.

• Warm-season grasses: Keep mowing high (2-3 inches) in early March, then lower gradually as growth increases.
• Cool-season grasses: Keep Fescue at 3-4 inches to protect it from heat stress as temperatures rise.

Pro Tip: Always use sharp mower blades to prevent tearing the grass, which can lead to fungal infections.

5. Check Your Irrigation System

Spring showers in Georgia are unpredictable, and March is the ideal time to inspect your irrigation system before the hot summer months arrive.

• Check for clogged or broken sprinkler heads.
• Adjust watering schedules based on rainfall and temperature changes.
• Make sure you’re watering deeply but infrequently (about 1 inch per week) to encourage strong root growth.

Pro Tip: Overwatering in March can lead to fungal growth, so adjust your irrigation based on the weather.

Plan Ahead for a Healthy Lawn All Year

Lawn care is an ongoing process, and what you do in March sets the stage for a beautiful lawn in April, May, and beyond. A professional landscaping team can help you stay on track with pre-emergent applications, aeration, fertilization, and irrigation adjustments to keep your yard lush and green.

At Everlast Lawns & Landscapes, we provide comprehensive lawn care services to help homeowners in Cumming, Alpharetta, and surrounding Georgia areas achieve their best lawn yet.

Schedule Your March Lawn Care Services Today!

Want a thicker, greener, and healthier lawn this spring? Contact Everlast Lawns & Landscapes to schedule your March lawn care services and get ahead of the season. Let’s make your lawn thrive!