Spring Lawn and Garden Prep for the Mid-South

Spring in the Mid-South comes fast and the growing season is long. Get ahead of it and your yard rewards you all summer. Here is the order of operations that works for Memphis-area lawns.

Time Your Fertilizer to the Soil, Not the Calendar

In our climate, wait until soil temperatures are consistently in the mid-50s before the first feeding, usually mid-March to early April. Fertilizing too early feeds weeds more than grass. A pre-emergent applied before the soil warms will knock out crabgrass before it starts.

Deal With the Clay

Much of the Memphis area sits on heavy clay that compacts and drains poorly. Core aeration in spring opens it up so water, air, and nutrients reach the roots. Following aeration with a thin layer of compost does more for a struggling lawn than almost anything else.

The Spring Tool Short List

• A broadcast or drop spreader for even fertilizer and seed coverage

• A solid garden hose and an adjustable nozzle, since dry spells hit early here

• Pruning shears and loppers for cleaning up winter dieback

• A sturdy rake for dethatching and clearing debris

Prune at the Right Time

Cut back summer-blooming shrubs in early spring before new growth. Hold off on spring bloomers like azaleas until right after they flower, or you cut off this year's blooms. When in doubt, prune just after the plant finishes flowering.

We stock fertilizer, seed, hand tools, hoses, and the rest of the spring lineup. Come see us at 2909 Park Ave in Memphis, 8 to 5 Monday through Saturday, and we will point you to what your yard actually needs.