Fertilizing and Lawns: Set the Stage, Don’t Rush It

March can feel like the moment lawns and landscapes have their winter blankets pulled away and are expected to perform before they’ve had their first sip of coffee. Growth hasn’t truly begun yet, but exposure has and that difference matters.

Soil temperatures are still inconsistent, and most turf and landscape plants aren’t actively growing. Feeding too early is often ineffective, with nutrients moving past roots before plants are ready to use them.

What makes sense now is observation, planning, and preparation.

This is a good time to:

Assess lawn condition

Take note of winter injury, compaction, uneven areas, or spots that struggled last season. These are clues, not problems to panic over. March is about noticing patterns so you’re ready to respond once growth truly begins.

Look at soil before feeding plants

Areas that stayed wet, compacted, or slow to warm often need soil improvement more than fertilizer. Improving soil structure early helps everything you do later actually work better. Think foundation before finish work.

Plan your feeding approach and gather materials

This is where Lakeview gardeners get strategic. Decide whether this season’s focus is recovery, long-term soil health, or improving efficiency with fewer inputs. March is the month to choose your products, understand timing, and have everything on hand—so you’re not making decisions in a rush when conditions finally line up.

🌱 Lakeview Plant Geek Guide: Choose Your Lawn Care Path

Every lawn is different. So is every gardener. At Lakeview, we don’t believe there’s one “right” way—just the right fit for your goals, timeline, and tolerance for patience.

🌿 Organic Path: Build the Soil, Then the Lawn

Best for gardeners focused on long-term health, soil improvement, and working with nature.

What this looks like:

• Focus on soil biology and root development
• Slower, steadier results that improve each season
• Fewer inputs over time as turf becomes more resilient

Spring tools we recommend:

• Jonathan Green Organic Lawn Food
• Jonathan Green Organic Weed Preventer (corn gluten meal)
• Soil builders and aeration support

Good to know:
 Organic weed prevention is preventative, not corrective. Timing matters—and patience pays off.

🌱 Traditional Path: Precise Timing, Proven Results

Best for gardeners who want strong early-season control and faster visible results.

What this looks like:

• Targeted feeding and weed prevention
• More immediate response when applied correctly
• Relies on proper timing and application

Spring tools we recommend:

• Jonathan Green traditional spring lawn fertilizers
• Crabgrass preventers timed with soil temperature cues

Good to know:
 Earlier isn’t better, better timed is better.

🌼 The Lakeview Rule

No matter which path you choose, success comes down to:

Right product. Right time. Right reason.

And if you’re unsure which path fits your lawn, just ask—we love talking lawns

Let Forsythia Be Your Garden’s Alarm Clock

One of the most reliable cues doesn’t come from a calendar—it comes from the landscape itself. When forsythia begins to bloom, it’s often signaling that soil temperatures have reached the range where plant growth (and weed seed germination) really begins.

That bright yellow show isn’t just decorative. It’s nature’s way of saying:
“Now we’re getting somewhere.”

Forsythia bloom closely aligns with soil temperatures reaching the low-to-mid 50s, which is when grass begins to wake up and crabgrass seeds start thinking about making trouble. That’s why gardeners have long used it as a guide for timing spring feeding and crabgrass prevention. Not because it’s pretty—but because it’s accurate.

Until then, hold steady. March’s job isn’t to push growth; it’s to be ready when the garden gives the green light. The best lawns aren’t rushed—they’re well-timed.