Spring Landscaping Checklist for Georgia Homeowners (2026)

In Georgia, spring landscaping season starts earlier than almost anywhere else in the country. By mid-March, soil temperatures are rising, warm-season grasses are breaking dormancy, and the window for critical early-season tasks is already open. Wait until April and you have already missed the optimal timing for several key jobs. This checklist breaks down exactly what to do, when to do it, and why it matters for Georgia's specific climate and soil conditions.

March: Wake Up the Yard

Lawn Tasks

• Rake and remove winter debris, fallen leaves, and dead grass clippings that block sunlight from reaching emerging turf
• Apply pre-emergent herbicide by March 15 to prevent crabgrass germination — soil temperature hits 55°F consistently around mid-March in north Georgia
• Scalp Bermuda lawns to 1–1.5 inches to remove dormant brown canopy and accelerate green-up
• Hold off on Zoysia scalping until late March — it greens up slower than Bermuda
• Test soil pH and send samples to UGA Extension if you have not tested in 2+ years

Hardscape Inspection

• Walk every concrete surface — driveways, patios, walkways — and inspect for new cracks, spalling, or settling that occurred over winter
• Check retaining walls for bulging, leaning, or drainage outlet blockages — freeze-thaw cycles and winter rain stress walls significantly
• Inspect French drain outlets and downspout discharge points for clogs from winter leaf accumulation
• Check outdoor lighting fixtures, irrigation heads, and landscape edging for winter damage

Planting & Beds

• Prune dormant shrubs and ornamental grasses before new growth emerges
• Apply fresh mulch to beds — 2–3 inch depth, keeping mulch 2 inches away from tree and shrub trunks
• Plant early spring annuals: pansies, violas, and snapdragons for color through May
• Divide and transplant perennials that have outgrown their spaces

April: Growth Accelerates — Stay Ahead of It

Lawn Tasks

• First fertilizer application for Bermuda and Zoysia lawns — use a 16-4-8 or similar balanced NPK formulation
• Aerate compacted lawns before fertilizer application for maximum nutrient penetration
• Begin regular mowing schedule — Bermuda at 1–2 inches, Zoysia at 1.5–2.5 inches
• Overseed bare or thin Tall Fescue areas if you missed the fall window (not ideal, but viable with diligent watering)
• Apply post-emergent broadleaf herbicide for existing winter weeds like chickweed and henbit

Drainage & Grading

April is when Georgia's clay soil reveals its drainage problems. After the first few heavy spring storms, walk your property and note any areas where water pools, runs toward the foundation, or creates erosion channels. April is the ideal month to schedule drainage corrections and regrading — before summer sod installation or hardscape projects begin.

• Grade any low spots that collect standing water for more than 24 hours after rain
• Extend downspouts at least 6 feet from foundation walls
• Clear French drain inlets of mulch, sediment, and debris
• Schedule professional drainage assessment if pooling persists near foundation or in lawn

Hardscape Projects

April through early May is prime booking season for concrete patio and driveway projects in Georgia. Contractors fill schedules fast — if you want a new patio or driveway completed before summer entertaining season, book your contractor in April.

May: Transition to Summer Maintenance Mode

Lawn Tasks

• Second fertilizer application for Bermuda and Zoysia — reduce nitrogen slightly as temperatures peak
• Raise mowing height by 0.25–0.5 inches as Georgia summer heat arrives — slightly taller grass handles drought and heat stress better
• Install or repair irrigation systems before peak summer demand
• Apply grub prevention treatment if history of Japanese beetle or June bug damage

Planting & Beds

• Transition from spring to summer annuals — plant zinnias, marigolds, vinca, and lantana for heat tolerance
• Refresh mulch in high-visibility beds — by May, early spring mulch has often thinned to under 1 inch
• Prune spring-flowering shrubs (azaleas, forsythia, camellias) immediately after bloom to preserve next year's flower buds
• Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continued flowering through summer

Hardscape Maintenance

• Seal stamped concrete patios and driveways installed last year — May is ideal before peak UV exposure
• Pressure wash concrete surfaces using 2,000–2,500 PSI with a 25-degree tip
• Inspect and re-sand paver joints if you have paver walkways or patios
• Clean and inspect outdoor kitchen surfaces, fire pit areas, and grill pads

What to Skip in Georgia Spring

Not every landscaping task belongs on a Georgia spring checklist. Here are three common mistakes to avoid:

• Do not prune summer-blooming shrubs (crepe myrtles, hydrangeas) in spring — you will remove flower buds
• Do not apply high-nitrogen fertilizer to cool-season Fescue lawns in late spring — it stresses the grass heading into summer dormancy
• Do not plant cool-season annuals (pansies) after mid-April — Georgia heat will kill them by June

Free Spring Landscaping Assessment in Georgia

Not sure where to start with your spring landscaping checklist? Greenstone Landscaping LLC provides free on-site spring assessments throughout Northeast Georgia — Loganville, Athens, Suwanee, Lawrenceville, Buford, Monroe, Jefferson, and all surrounding communities. We evaluate your lawn condition, hardscape integrity, drainage, and planting beds — then give you a prioritized action plan for the season. Call 404-547-5771 or fill out our contact form.