Spring Lawn Care Checklist for London, Ontario Homeowners

February 15, 2026 · 6 min read

London, Ontario winters are hard on lawns. Months of snow cover, freeze-thaw cycles, road salt, and ice can leave even well-maintained grass looking thin, patchy, and tired by April. The good news? With the right steps performed at the right time, your lawn can bounce back stronger than ever. This checklist walks you through everything you need to do, from the first warm days through late spring, to set your London lawn up for a great growing season.

Step 1: Know When to Start

Timing is everything. In London's Zone 6 climate, spring lawn care typically begins in mid-to-late April — once the snow has fully melted, the ground has thawed, and the soil is dry enough to walk on without leaving footprints. Starting too early on soggy soil causes compaction and damages tender new grass shoots. Watch for consistent daytime temperatures of 10°C or higher as your signal to begin.

Most years, London homeowners can start light cleanup by the third week of April, with heavier tasks like aeration pushed to late April or early May. If you're unsure, our spring cleanup service team monitors conditions and begins work at the optimal time.

Step 2: Spring Raking and Cleanup

Before anything else, clear the debris that's accumulated over winter. A thorough spring cleanup involves:

• Remove fallen branches, leaves, and litter that smother grass and encourage mould
• Rake gently with a flexible leaf rake to lift matted grass and remove dead thatch without tearing roots
• Clear salt-damaged areas along driveways, sidewalks, and street edges — flush these zones with water to dilute residual salt in the topsoil
• Check for snow mould: circular grey or pink patches are common after long snow cover in London. Light raking and airflow usually resolve minor cases; severe areas may need overseeding

Step 3: Soil Testing

If you haven't tested your soil in the past three years, spring is the time. London's clay soils tend to be alkaline (pH 7.0–7.5), which affects nutrient availability. A basic soil test from the University of Guelph's lab costs about $25 and tells you your exact pH, nutrient levels, and organic matter content. This information lets you fertilize intelligently rather than guessing.

Most London lawns benefit from applications of sulphur to lower pH slightly and compost topdressing to improve soil structure. A soil test removes the guesswork.

Step 4: Core Aeration

London's heavy clay soil compacts easily under foot traffic, mowing, and winter weight. Core aeration — pulling small plugs of soil from the lawn — is the single best thing you can do for a clay-soil lawn. It relieves compaction so air, water, and nutrients reach the root zone.

• Timing: Late April to mid-May, once the soil is moist but not saturated
• How: Use a core aerator (available for rent), not a spike aerator. Plugs should be 5–7 cm deep
• Frequency: High-traffic London lawns benefit from aeration twice a year — spring and fall
• Leave the plugs: Don't rake them up. They'll break down within two weeks and return organic matter to the soil

Step 5: Overseeding Thin or Bare Areas

After aeration is the perfect time to overseed. The holes created by the aerator give seed excellent soil contact.

• Seed type: For London, choose a blend of Kentucky Bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. Bluegrass spreads to fill gaps; ryegrass germinates fast for quick coverage
• Application rate: 2–3 kg per 100 m² for overseeding existing lawns; 4–5 kg per 100 m² for bare patches
• Cover lightly: Topdress seed with 3–5 mm of compost or peat to retain moisture
• Keep moist: Water lightly once or twice daily until germination (7–14 days). This is critical — dry seed won't germinate

Step 6: Fertilization Schedule

Ontario's cosmetic pesticide ban means a healthy, well-fed lawn is your best defence against weeds. A proper fertilization program for London lawns looks like this:

• Late April / early May: Apply a slow-release granular fertilizer with a higher nitrogen ratio (e.g., 24-4-8). This feeds spring green-up without causing excessive top growth
• Late May / early June: A second light application if your lawn is thin or recovering from damage
• Avoid quick-release fertilizers in spring — they cause a flush of growth that requires extra mowing and stresses the grass during the summer heat ahead
• Apply when rain is expected within 24–48 hours, or water in lightly after application

Step 7: Weed Prevention

Under Ontario's Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act, most synthetic herbicides are prohibited for residential use. Your weed strategy must focus on cultural practices:

• Thick, healthy grass is the best weed control. Dense turf crowds out weed seedlings naturally
• Corn gluten meal is an approved pre-emergent that inhibits weed seed germination. Apply in mid-April before crabgrass germinates. Note: don't apply corn gluten in the same season you're overseeding — it prevents grass seed germination too
• Hand-pull dandelions and broadleaf weeds when they're young and the soil is soft after rain. Get the full taproot
• Fiesta (chelated iron) is one of the few approved broadleaf controls in Ontario and works well on dandelions and clover

Step 8: Mowing Height

How you mow matters as much as when you mow. Many London homeowners cut their grass too short, which weakens root systems and opens the door to weeds.

• Spring mowing height: Set your mower to 7.5 cm (3 inches) for the first few cuts. You can lower to 6 cm once growth is vigorous
• Summer height: Raise to 7.5–10 cm during hot July and August to shade roots and retain moisture
• Never remove more than one-third of the blade length in a single mowing
• Sharpen your mower blade at the start of the season. Dull blades tear grass, leaving brown tips and inviting disease

Step 9: Watering Tips and City of London Bylaws

London's Water Conservation Bylaw (W.-10) restricts outdoor watering during summer months. Under the bylaw, lawn watering is typically allowed on specific days based on your address (odd/even house numbers), and only during permitted hours (usually early morning or evening). Fines for violations start at $150.

• Water deeply, less often: 2.5 cm of water once a week encourages deep root growth. Daily light sprinkling creates shallow roots
• Water in the morning: Between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. minimizes evaporation and allows blades to dry before evening, reducing fungal disease risk
• Use a rain gauge or empty tuna can on the lawn to measure output from your sprinkler
• New seed needs more water: If you've overseeded, keep those areas moist with light, frequent watering until establishment — this is exempt under most municipal watering bylaws

Step 10: Know When to Call a Professional

Some lawn care tasks are straightforward, but others save you time, money, and frustration when handled by professionals with commercial equipment and local expertise:

• Core aeration: Renting and operating an aerator on London's clay soil is hard physical work. Professional service is fast and thorough
• Large-scale overseeding or sod installation: When more than 30% of your lawn needs repair, professional seeding or sod installation delivers better, faster results
• Grading and drainage issues: If water pools on your lawn or flows toward your foundation, you need professional grading — not just more seed
• Complete spring cleanup: Our spring cleanup crews handle everything — debris removal, bed edging, first mowing, and garden preparation — in a single visit

Brothers Landscaping offers complete lawn care programs for London homeowners who want a consistently great lawn without the weekend work. From one-time spring aeration to full-season maintenance plans, we tailor our services to your lawn's specific needs.