- 1. Test Your Soil<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Inspect Mowing Equipment<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Inspect Your Sprinkler System<\/a><\/li>
- 4. Begin Mowing<\/a><\/li>
- 5. Control Weeds<\/a><\/li>
- 6. Implement Good Watering Practices<\/a><\/li>
- 7. Dethatch and Aerate Your Grass<\/a><\/li>
- 8. Overseed Bare Spots<\/a><\/li>
- 9. Manage Pests<\/a><\/li>
- 10. Fertilize Your Lawn<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
1. Test Your Soil<\/h2>
Start spring lawn care with a soil test to discover which nutrients your soil lacks. With the guidance of a soil test report, you can add soil amendments, fertilizer, or compost to improve the quality of your soil. <\/p>
To Test Your Soil:<\/strong><\/p>
- Contact Texas A&M AgriLife Extension soil testing<\/a> services. <\/li>
- With a garden shovel or trowel, dig up 10-15 cores of soil at a depth of 6 inches. <\/li>
- Send in your soil samples. <\/li>
- Wait 2-4 weeks for a soil test report. <\/li> <\/ol>
Blackland Prairie soils, an alkaline soil<\/a> high in clay, are the most common in Austin. <\/p>
See Related:<\/strong><\/p>
\u2013 How to Prepare a Soil Sample for Testing: 5 Simple Steps for Accurate Results<\/a>
\u2013 How to Read a Soil Test Report<\/a><\/p>2. Inspect Mowing Equipment<\/h2>
![\"Lawnmower](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/sharpen-lawn-mower-blade.webp\")
Sharpening mower blade. Photo Credit: Benjamin Clapp<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure> Spring is a good time to inspect your mowing equipment and get it prepped for the mowing season:<\/p>
- Clean the mower deck<\/a> (if you didn\u2019t last fall) and check for rust or damage. <\/li>
- Sharpen mower blades<\/a>: <\/strong>Dull blades tear instead of cutting.<\/li>
- Install new spark plugs<\/a> if the old ones are damaged.<\/li>
- Clean or change your air filter<\/a>: <\/strong>Clean foam filters with water. Tap paper filters gently on the driveway to clear out dirt and debris.<\/li> <\/ul>
If you don\u2019t feel comfortable with DIY mower maintenance, take your mower to a local engine repair shop (but make your appointment early, as slots fill up fast in spring).<\/p>
3. Inspect Your Sprinkler System<\/h2>
Winter freezing can cause damage to your pipes and sprinkler heads. When the weather begins to warm, test your irrigation system to make sure it is ready to water your growing grass. <\/p>
If you need to replace or adjust your sprinkler heads, check out our DIY-friendly guide: How to Fix and Adjust Lawn Sprinkler Heads<\/a>.<\/p>
Water-Saving Tip:<\/strong> Before you set your automated schedule this spring, measure your sprinkler system\u2019s output with tuna cans: The time it takes to fill up the tuna can is how long it takes your sprinklers to apply 1 inch of water. Adjust your sprinklers and control settings accordingly.<\/p>
4. Begin Mowing<\/h2>
Start mowing your lawn as needed in March, when grass begins to green up. From April until fall, mow your lawn weekly. <\/p>
For optimal results, follow these mowing tips to boost your lawn\u2019s health:<\/p>
- Follow the <\/strong>one-third mowing rule<\/a>: <\/strong>Never remove more than a third of the grass\u2019s total height at a time.<\/li>
- Mow in different directions every time:<\/strong> \u201cI switch directions just to make sure I don’t develop tracks in the yard,\u201d says Justin Stultz, owner of Wildflower Lawn Care in Hutto, Texas.<\/li>
- \u201cLeave <\/strong>grass clippings on the lawn<\/strong> to help retain moisture and add organic matter,\u201d says Isabel Lopez, owner of AR Lawn Care in Georgetown, Texas.<\/li> <\/ul>
Bermudagrass is the most common grass type in Austin<\/a>, although you\u2019ll frequently spot St. Augustinegrass and Zoysiagrass in the city as well. <\/p>
Trim your grass to the right height for your turfgrass type:<\/p>
- Mow in different directions every time:<\/strong> \u201cI switch directions just to make sure I don’t develop tracks in the yard,\u201d says Justin Stultz, owner of Wildflower Lawn Care in Hutto, Texas.<\/li>
- Sharpen mower blades<\/a>: <\/strong>Dull blades tear instead of cutting.<\/li>
- 2. Inspect Mowing Equipment<\/a><\/li>
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Sprinkler-watering-lawn-in-Austin.jpg?wsr\")
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/lawn-grass-overseeding.jpeg?wsr\")