• Lawn care in New England begins in the spring.vermont image by jedphoto from Fotolia.com
  
  New England consists of the states of Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire where lawn grasses such as tall fescue are commonly used as lawn grass. In order to keep lawn grasses green, healthy and weed-free throughout New England's growing season, lawn care and maintenance should begin in the spring.
  
  

Withhold Fertilizer Applications until Fall

• Withhold fertilizer applications until the fall unless a soil test advises you to add amendments to the lawn in spring. This allows the grass to take advantage of the fertilizer application by forming an extensive root system during the winter. Fertilizing the lawn in the spring fertilizes the emerging weeds as well as the grass. However, the weeds grow much faster than the grass, so the lawn will be full of weeds before the grass is actively growing.
  
  

Get a Soil Test

• A soil test will tell you what nutrients are lacking in your soil for optimal grass growth. More importantly, the soil test tells you if your soil falls into the proper pH range for a healthy lawn. New England soils are generally acidic and most lawn grasses grow best in soil with a neutral or slightly alkaline pH. Consult you local County Agricultural Extension Office for soil testing information. It is not a good idea to apply lime or any other soil amendments without knowing exactly what is needed. Over-application of soil amendments can kill your lawn. Your soil test will tell you the correct time of year to apply recommended amendments.
  
  

Lawn Equipment Maintenance

• If you did not do routine maintenance on your lawn equipment in the fall, take some time to change the oil, change spark plugs and sharpen the blades of lawn care equipment. Taking a few minutes before the season is in full swing may save time-consuming and expensive repairs later.
  
  

Seed Bare Patches

• If there are patches of lawn that are bare, springtime is the time to plant new grass seed. Rake up and remove dead grass before spreading seed so the seed has good soil contact. Keep grass seed moist, but not wet, until the bare spot is covered with new growth, then water at the same level as the rest of the lawn during the season, which is the equivalent of 1 inch or 1 1/2-inches of rainfall per week.
  
  

Monitor for Grubs

• Look for areas of dead grass that pull easily from the ground. This is a sign that grubs are eating the roots of the grass. If you suspect grubs, cut three sides of a square 6 inches deep in the lawn. Flip the area back and look for the fat white grub worms. If you see more than four grubs in the soil under the test patch, use a pesticide listed for grub control by following directions on the label. "Milky Spore Disease" can be used as an organic alternative for grub control in New England lawns. Grub worm treatment should be done no later than April for best results.