In Zones 3 and 4, your lawn has just endured months of snow cover, freeze–thaw cycles, and drying winter winds. Spring isn’t just about making it green again, it’s about helping it recover properly.

Here’s how to prepare your lawn for a healthy, thick, and resilient growing season.

1. Wait for the Right Conditions It’s tempting to get started as soon as the snow melts, but timing matters. Before working on your lawn, make sure: The snow is completely gone The ground is no longer soggy Daytime temperatures are consistently above freezing The grass has started actively growing Working on saturated soil can cause compaction and long-term damage. 2. Start with a Spring Clean-Up Winter leaves behind debris, sand, and often matted grass from snow mold. A proper spring clean-up includes: Light raking to remove leaves and dead grass Clearing debris along sidewalks and driveways Opening up matted areas to improve airflow This step allows sunlight and oxygen to reach the soil—both critical for strong early growth.

3. Core Aeration: The Game Changer

Alberta soils are often clay-based, and after winter they can be heavily compacted. Core aeration removes small plugs of soil, which helps:

• Reduce compaction
• Improve water absorption
• Encourage deeper root growth
• Increase fertilizer effectiveness

For Zones 3 and 4, late April through May is typically ideal. Aeration is one of the most impactful services you can do in spring.

4. Apply a Balanced Spring Fertilizer

Once your lawn is actively growing, it’s time to feed it. A slow-release fertilizer formulated for cool-season grasses will:

• Promote steady green-up
• Strengthen root systems
• Improve resistance to summer stress

Early nutrition sets the tone for the entire season. Skipping this step often results in thin turf that struggles during dry summer months.

5. Overseed Thin or Damaged Areas

Winter kill is common in exposed or shaded areas. Overseeding in spring helps thicken your lawn and crowd out weeds. After aeration:

• Apply quality grass seed suited for Alberta climates
• Ensure good seed-to-soil contact
• Keep the area consistently moist until established

A thicker lawn naturally reduces weed pressure later in the season.

6. Mow Smart from the Start

Your first cut of the season matters. Best practices:

• Wait until grass reaches about 3–4 inches
• Never remove more than one-third of the blade
• Keep mowing height between 2.5–3 inches

Taller grass shades soil, retains moisture, and develops deeper roots—especially important during Alberta’s dry summers.

7. Build a Strong Foundation for Summer

In Zones 3 and 4, the growing season is short but intense. The work done in April and May determines how your lawn performs in July and August.  A structured spring plan typically includes:

✔ Spring clean-up
✔ Core aeration
✔ Fertilization
✔ Overseeding
✔ Consistent mowing

When these steps are done properly and at the right time, your lawn will be thicker, greener, and more resilient all season long.