Free Spring Lawn Checklist — Central Ohio Edition
Every task that should happen on a Central Ohio property between the last frost and Memorial Day. From mower-blade sharpening to pre-emergent crabgrass timing — printable, one-pager.
24 items across 5 categories. Tuned for Pickaway, Franklin, Fairfield, Ross, and Fayette counties.
Equipment
- Sharpen the mower blade (or swap to a freshly sharpened spare).
- Change the mower oil and replace the air filter.
- Check the spark plug — replace if pitted or fouled.
- Drain last year's gas and fill with fresh, stabilized fuel.
- Inspect string trimmer line; load a fresh spool.
- Test pressure washer pressure and check the hose for cracks.
Lawn
- First mow at 3.5 inches — never scalp the first cut.
- Apply pre-emergent crabgrass control by April 15 (before soil hits 55°F for 5 days straight).
- Soil test if the lawn greens up unevenly — county extension office is cheap.
- Overseed bare patches and thin spots by April 30.
- First fertilizer round when the forsythia blooms — nature's calendar beats the bag's calendar.
Beds and shrubs
- Cut back ornamental grasses to 6 inches before new growth pushes through.
- Pull or rake out the matted top layer of last year's mulch.
- Re-cut bed edges with a flat spade for a clean line.
- Install fresh mulch at 2-3 inches — deeper smothers roots.
- Prune summer-blooming shrubs after the last hard frost (April 15 in Central Ohio is the rule of thumb).
Hardscape
- Pressure wash the deck and patio before furniture goes back out.
- Soft-wash north-facing siding to clear winter mildew and algae.
- Clean leftover leaves and grit out of gutters.
- Check downspout drainage — extensions should carry water 4 feet from the foundation.
Property
- Drain and reconnect garden hose lines; check for split hose bibs.
- Replace cracked outdoor faucet caps before the first freeze next year (do it now while you remember).
- Walk the fence line — note any winter damage to fix before the grass grows tall.
- Lock in a weekly mowing contract before the mid-May rush (routes fill up).
Why these dates and depths?
Most generic spring lists are written for the entire country, which means they're wrong everywhere. Pre-emergent crabgrass control only works in a narrow window before soil temperature crosses 55°F — in Central Ohio that's usually the first two weeks of April. Mulch thicker than 3 inches starves roots. First mow under 3 inches scalps the crown and stresses the lawn into June. Local timing matters.
Printable PDF — one sheet of paper
Same checklist, formatted to hang in the garage. No email required.
Or email it to yourself for later
Drop your email if you'd rather have a copy in your inbox. Tim sends it personally — no automated list, you can reply with questions about your own lawn.
Request received. Your default email app should have opened with a pre-filled message — just hit send. If it didn't, email Lawnharmonyohio@gmail.com and ask for the spring checklist PDF.
Who put this list together?
Tim Jacobs runs Lawn Harmony Landscaping out of Circleville, Ohio. Owner- operated, over 10 years of experience, weekly mowing routes across five counties. The dates above are what he actually does on his own properties and his clients' properties every spring.
More about Tim →Related guides
- Summer Lawn Watering Guide — how much, how often, and when to water through a Central Ohio summer.
- Fall Yard Prep Checklist — every task between Labor Day and the first hard freeze.
- Central Ohio Lawn Care Calendar — month-by-month schedule for the full year.
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