Early spring is the perfect time to set the stage for a lush, healthy lawn all summer. A little work now will help make your lawn the envy of the neighborhood.

Rake- March is a great time to begin raking your lawn.  Raking helps get rid of the accumulation of dead grass blades, as well as the thatch or mat layers that can harbor diseases.  Thinning the mat layer also helps open the lawn up for fertilizer and moisture to get through.

Aerate- Core aeration is one of the best things you can do in the spring to breathe life into your lawn.  Aeration promotes healthy root growth, increases air and water penetration, and provides an opening for fertilizer and compost to enter the soil.

Reseed- Prepare your lawn for reseeding with an organic soil conditioner like Revive.  Apply grass seed to thin or bare areas and water liberally to maintain a moist seedbed for the germination period of 14-20 days.

Water-  Warm winds, higher temperatures and a lack of moisture can put real stress on the lawn.  Late-winter and early-spring watering is key to a healthy lawn year-round.  Try frog eye or twin eye sprinkler and water 15-20 minutes per section, particularly on the sides of the lawn with south and southwest exposure.

Weed Prevention- Now is a good time to apply early-season fertilizer and pre-emergent herbicides to combat annual grassy and broadleaf weeds.  Four-step lawn care programs from Ace and Scott's make it easy to know what to apply when.  Step one, which includes fertilizer plus crabgrass preventer, should be applied in March or early April.

Don't forget to sharpen your mower blade as well.  A sharp blade prevents damage from tearing and ripping and is essential for a healthy lawn.