Fertilizer Comes Before Everything Else
Spring lawn care is about recovery. Fertilizer supports root health and density before weeds or seed should even be considered.
“We need that lawn to start recovering from the winter and growing into the spring season.”
Why Slow Release Nitrogen Matters
The best spring fertilizer is high in slow release nitrogen, ideally 70 to 80 percent slow release.
“The trick is not to create surge fast growth. It is to create nice even distributed growth throughout the growing season.”
Fast growth stresses roots, increases mowing, and invites insects and disease.
Why Most Lawns Do Not Need Phosphorus
Balanced fertilizers like 20-20-20 are unnecessary for most Ontario lawns.
“Most lawns in Southern Ontario do not require phosphorus.”
Excess phosphorus leaches into waterways and does nothing to improve turf health.
The Truth About Spring Seeding
Spring seeding fails more often than people realize because soil temperatures are too cold.
“It could be warm outside, but the soil is still cold and the warmth of the soil is what dictates when the seed can start to germinate.”
Spring seeding should be limited to small repairs. Fall remains the best time for overseeding.
Why Top Dressing Usually Causes Problems
Adding top soil often introduces weeds and smothers existing grass.
“Most lawns do not need soil thrown on it. What they need is nutrients.”
Top soil frequently contains weed grasses that cannot be selectively controlled.
Coated Seed and Marketing Gimmicks
Coated grass seed contains less actual seed by weight.
“You are paying for less seed and not getting anything better for it.”
Quality seed and proper moisture outperform coatings every time.
Recent Spring Lawn Care Service Jobs in the Toronto Area
When Top Dressing Turned Into a Crabgrass Takeover
In another GTA job, a homeowner decided to top dress after a professional power seeding.
“He decided afterward to top dress his lawn with top soil and he ended up with a field of crab grass.”
The soil introduced aggressive weed grasses that quickly outcompeted the desired turf.
“It was like 4,000 square feet of crab grass.”
The lawn did not need soil. It needed nutrients and time. The result was additional cost and ultimately a full lawn reset.
Takeaway
Top dressing often introduces weed grasses that cannot be selectively controlled. Nutrients support lawns better than added soil.
