Your Week-by-Week May Checklist from White House Nursery
There’s still time to turn patchy grass into a vibrant, green lawn you’ll love all summer. With a little attention in May, your lawn can recover from winter stress and thrive into the heat of summer. At White House Nursery, we’re here to help you make it happen—week by week, step by step.
✅ Week 1: Deep Watering Starts Now
If April showers didn’t do the job, it’s time to take over.
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Water deeply, not daily. Aim for 1″ per week, including rain.
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Morning watering is best to reduce evaporation and disease risk.
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Avoid frequent shallow watering—deep roots grow in deep water.
✅ Week 2: Dethatch & Aerate If Needed
That brown spongy layer of dead grass? That’s thatch—and too much of it blocks water and air.
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Dethatch small areas with a rake or rent a dethatcher for larger lawns.
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Aerate if your soil is compacted—this helps roots breathe and absorb nutrients.
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Afterward, your lawn will look a little rough, but don’t worry—it’s worth it!
✅ Week 3: Overseed Bare or Thin Spots
Now that your soil is ready, fill in gaps.
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Choose grass seed that matches your current lawn type.
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Loosen the soil, then spread seed and lightly rake it in.
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Water daily (just enough to keep the topsoil moist) until seeds sprout.
✅ Week 4: Feed It Right
A spring feeding sets the stage for a strong summer lawn.
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Use a slow-release fertilizer for balanced growth.
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Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers if you’re overseeding (it can burn young grass).
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Not sure what to use? Our lawn care experts can help you choose the right one.
Bonus Tip: Keep Your Mower Blade Sharp
A dull mower blade tears grass instead of cutting it cleanly—leading to brown tips and stressed turf. Sharpen your blade now and raise your mower height slightly as summer approaches.
By sticking to this easy checklist, you’re setting your lawn up for a lush, resilient summer. Need help choosing the right seed, fertilizer, or dethatching tools? We’ve got it all here at White House Nursery, along with friendly advice to make the most of your yard.
