Give your Ellicott City lawn the perfect start to the growing season with professional spring fertilization from Greenlawn Inc. Serving Howard County since 1986.
Call for FREE EstimateEarly spring fertilization with pre-emergent crabgrass control must be applied between early March and mid-April in Howard County. Miss this window and you'll battle weeds all summer. Schedule now to secure your spot!
Spring fertilization is arguably the most important lawn treatment of the entire year for Howard County homeowners. After months of winter dormancy, your Ellicott City lawn is waking up hungry, weak, and vulnerable.
The right spring fertilization at the right time gives your grass the nutrition it needs to green up quickly, grow thick and healthy, and outcompete weeds throughout the growing season.
At Greenlawn Inc, we've been providing professional spring fertilization to Howard County lawns since 1986. Our 39 years of experience has taught us that spring fertilization isn't just about feeding grass—it's about timing, formulation, and combining nutrition with critical weed prevention.
Lawns that don't receive spring fertilization in Ellicott City face multiple problems:
We don't work by calendar dates; we monitor soil temperatures throughout Howard County. Pre-emergent must be applied when soil temperatures reach 50-55°F, typically in early to mid-March in Ellicott City.
Spring fertilizer needs the right nutrient ratio for cool-season grasses emerging from dormancy. We use formulations with moderate nitrogen for green-up, plus phosphorus and potassium for root development.
We combine spring fertilizer with pre-emergent crabgrass control. Pre-emergent creates a soil barrier that prevents crabgrass seeds from germinating. This is your ONLY opportunity to stop crabgrass before it starts.
We use commercial-grade spreaders calibrated for precise, even coverage. Proper application ensures every square foot receives the correct amount—no gaps where weeds can establish.
After application, we provide specific watering instructions to activate the fertilizer and pre-emergent barrier. Proper watering is critical for product effectiveness.
Timing is everything with spring fertilization in Howard County. Apply too early and products may degrade before grass really needs them. Apply too late and crabgrass has already germinated.
The Soil Temperature Trigger: Crabgrass seeds germinate when soil temperatures reach 55°F consistently for 5-7 days. In Ellicott City, this typically occurs in late March to early April. Pre-emergent must be applied BEFORE this happens.
Visual Cues: Local landscapers use forsythia bloom as a timing indicator. When you see forsythia's yellow flowers in Ellicott City (typically mid-March), soil temperatures are approaching the critical 50-55°F range.
Typical Schedule: Most Howard County lawns receive spring fertilization in the first two weeks of March through early April. Earlier in the window is generally better than later.
Drives chlorophyll production and green color. Our spring formulation contains moderate nitrogen levels for vigorous green-up without excessive top growth. We use quick-release and slow-release combination.
Promotes root growth and tillering (grass plants producing new shoots). Strong spring root development is critical for summer drought tolerance.
Strengthens cell walls and improves grass's ability to handle stress: heat, cold, disease, traffic. Spring potassium prepares your Ellicott City lawn for summer challenges.
Professional-grade products that create a chemical barrier preventing crabgrass and other annual weed seeds from germinating. Provides 8-12 weeks of weed prevention.
Your fertilized lawn will green up 2-3 weeks earlier than unfertilized neighbors, with rich, uniform color across the entire property.
Pre-emergent crabgrass control applied in spring prevents 90-95% of crabgrass if applied at the correct time. This saves you from expensive summer treatments.
Proper spring nutrition promotes tillering, creating thick, dense turf that naturally crowds out weeds and looks lush and full.
Grass that receives proper spring nutrition builds carbohydrate reserves and strong root systems that help it survive summer heat and drought stress.
Spring fertilization with pre-emergent prevents problems that cost more to fix later. Prevention is always cheaper than cure.
The ideal window for spring fertilization in Ellicott City is early March through early April, with early to mid-March being optimal. The critical factor is soil temperature—we apply when soil temperatures reach 50-55°F, which typically occurs in early March. Applying during this window ensures pre-emergent crabgrass control is active before crabgrass seeds germinate. Don't wait until late April—by then crabgrass has already germinated and you've missed the prevention window.
While DIY spring fertilization is possible, professional application offers significant advantages. Timing is critical and professionals monitor soil temperatures daily to apply at the optimal moment. Commercial-grade products and equipment provide better results than consumer products. Proper calibration ensures even coverage without gaps or overlaps. For most Ellicott City homeowners, professional spring fertilization provides better results at a cost comparable to buying products and equipment yourself.
Light to moderate rain within 24-48 hours of application is actually ideal—it helps activate both the fertilizer and pre-emergent herbicide, moving them into the soil where they work best. Heavy rain immediately after application (within 2-3 hours) can wash away products before they bond to soil, which is why we check weather forecasts carefully before scheduling. We generally recommend watering your lawn lightly (½ inch) within 24 hours of application if no rain is forecast.
Yes, when applied properly by licensed professionals. After application, we recommend keeping kids and pets off the lawn until the product is watered in and the lawn is dry (typically 24-48 hours). Once watered in, fertilizer and pre-emergent products bond to soil particles and are safe for normal lawn use. We use professional formulations that are effective at lower application rates, minimizing environmental impact.
Pre-emergent herbicide prevents ALL seeds from germinating—including grass seed. If you need to overseed or repair bare spots in spring, overseed BEFORE applying spring fertilizer with pre-emergent, then wait 8-10 weeks before applying pre-emergent. However, we generally recommend fall for overseeding in Ellicott City—it's more successful than spring seeding, and allows you to still get full benefit from spring pre-emergent crabgrass control.
You'll notice improved color within 7-10 days of application as quick-release nitrogen takes effect. Full green-up typically occurs within 2-3 weeks as grass enters active growth. The slow-release nitrogen component continues feeding for 6-8 weeks, maintaining color and growth through late spring. Pre-emergent results are less visible but more important—you'll notice in June and July that your lawn has little to no crabgrass while unfertilized neighbors are overrun with weeds.
Combine spring fertilization with year-round care for best results: