Last Updated: April 2026

Now that winter is soon coming to a close, it’s time to think spring. And with spring comes the dreaded spring cleaning chore, April showers and, yes, the task of getting your lawn in tip-top shape. Your lawn just endured a long, cold winter so needless to say it needs a little shot in the arm aside from just the spring showers and warm temperatures to rejuvenate.

Here’s a list of pointers on how to restore and rejuvenate your lawn so it’s green and lush:

De-Thatch and Overseed: De-thatching effectively removes any dead grass, debris or other materials that are lodged between the soil and the grass. Not only can these materials prevent grass from growing, but they can prevent air, water and other nutrients from reaching the soil, impacting your lawn more on the whole scale. De-thatching removes these obstructions and should be done in spring.

After that’s done, it’s recommended that you put fresh seed down on your lawn ‘ this helps fill in bare spots from the de-thatching job.

Aeration: Aeration, essentially, is using a machine to poke small holes in your lawn. By aerating your lawn, you’re loosening the soil, which can help roots grow and develop.

Additionally, you’re allowing water, fertilizer and oxygen to better reach the roots of your lawn. Aeration is a key step to a healthy lawn.

Fertilize: Unlike de-thatching, overseeding and aeration, which typically don’t have to be done every spring, fertilization should. The amount of times you choose to fertilize your lawn varies based on your budget, but generally speaking, the most healthy lawns are on a fertilization schedule of four to five times per year. Also, don’t forget about putting down an annual spring layer of grub and bug preventer.

Fertilization Schedule: After you’ve de-thatched and/or overseeded, aerated and set yourself up with a fertilization schedule, you can’t forget arguably the biggest factor to keeping a healthy, full lawn ‘ watering it!

The best time to water is generally in the early mo
ing hours, when the sun isn’t hot enough to evaporate it quickly and the wind isn’t gusty enough to blow the water from your sprinkler streams wayward. Also make sure that your sprinklers are adjusted so that your grass is getting the water ‘ and not your pavement.

Follow the above restoration steps, get on a fertilizer schedule and be sure to water your lawn and it will be green, lush and healthy even during the dog days of summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start lawn restoration after an Illinois winter?
Early spring — typically late March through April in the Fox Valley area — is the right time to assess winter lawn damage and begin restoration work. Start with a gentle rake to remove dead grass and debris, then evaluate bare or thin spots. Overseeding works best in early fall in Illinois (September is ideal), but spring spot-seeding can help fill in severely bare areas before summer heat arrives.
What are the most important spring lawn care steps for Oswego and Yorkville homeowners?
The essential spring steps are: dethatch and aerate if needed, apply a pre-emergent crabgrass preventer before soil temperatures reach 55°F (usually late March to early April in our area), fertilize appropriately for your grass type, and address any bare spots. Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue — which dominate Fox Valley lawns — benefit from a light spring feeding followed by a heavier fall application.
How can I keep my lawn healthy through a hot Illinois summer?
Water deeply but infrequently — about 1 inch per week, ideally applied in one or two sessions rather than daily shallow watering. Raise your mowing height to 3.5 to 4 inches in summer; taller grass shades the soil, reduces water loss, and outcompetes weeds. Avoid fertilizing during peak summer heat as it stresses already-hot turf. If your lawn goes dormant in July or August, that is normal for cool-season grasses — it will green back up in September.

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Written by BLC Yardworks — Fox Valley hardscaping, landscaping, and water feature contractors serving Oswego, Yorkville, Plainfield, Naperville, and surrounding communities since 1999.