Spring Lawn Care Guide for the Roaring Fork Valley

Spring in the Roaring Fork Valley doesn't arrive like it does at lower elevations. Between Aspen at 7,900 feet and Glenwood Springs at 5,700 feet, snowmelt timing, soil temperatures, and frost dates can vary dramatically — and your lawn care schedule needs to account for all of it.

Here's what you need to know to get your lawn off to the strongest possible start this season.

When to Start: Timing Is Everything at Altitude

The biggest mistake homeowners in the Roaring Fork Valley make is starting lawn care too early — or too late. At high altitude, soil takes longer to warm up, and late-season frosts are common into May.

The rule of thumb: Wait until soil temperatures consistently reach 50-55°F before applying pre-emergent treatments and the first fertilizer. In the Roaring Fork Valley, this typically happens:

• Glenwood Springs & Carbondale: Late April to early May
• Basalt & El Jebel: Early to mid-May
• Aspen & Snowmass: Mid to late May

Starting too early wastes product and money. Starting too late means weeds get a head start.

Step 1: Spring Cleanup

Before any treatments go down, your lawn needs a thorough cleanup:

1. Rake out debris — matted leaves, dead grass, and small branches that trapped moisture over winter
2. Check for snow mold — circular gray or pink patches where snow sat for months. Light raking usually resolves mild cases
3. Clear irrigation heads — make sure nothing is buried or blocked before your first watering

Step 2: Pre-Emergent Weed Treatment

Pre-emergent herbicide stops weed seeds from germinating. It's the single most important spring application for keeping your lawn weed-free all season. But timing matters — apply it before soil reaches 55°F consistently, or weed seeds will already be sprouting.

This is where professional timing makes a big difference. At Taylor Made Lawns, we track soil temperatures across the valley and schedule pre-emergent applications at the right moment for your specific area — not too early, not too late.

Step 3: First Fertilizer Application

Your lawn has been dormant for six months. It's hungry. The first fertilizer application should be a balanced, slow-release formula that feeds the root system gradually as the soil continues to warm.

Avoid fast-release nitrogen in early spring — it pushes top growth before roots are ready, leading to weak grass that's more susceptible to drought and disease later.

Step 4: Start Your Mowing Schedule

Once your grass is actively growing (typically when it reaches 3-4 inches), it's time to start mowing. Key rules for mountain lawns:

• Mow high: Set your blade to 3-3.5 inches. Taller grass shades the soil, retains moisture, and crowds out weeds
• Never cut more than one-third of the blade height at once
• Keep blades sharp: Dull blades tear grass, creating brown tips and inviting disease

Step 5: Irrigation System Start-Up

Before turning on your sprinklers:

• Turn the water on gradually — a sudden blast can burst pipes that shifted over winter
• Walk every zone and check for broken heads, leaks, and misaligned spray patterns
• Adjust timers for spring — shorter, less frequent watering at first, increasing as temperatures rise

Irrigation problems caught early are cheap fixes. Left unchecked, a single broken line can waste thousands of gallons and leave brown patches all summer.

The Easier Way: Let Us Handle It

Spring lawn care at altitude takes precise timing and local knowledge. Taylor Made Lawns provides a full seasonal lawn program that covers everything — spring start-up, pre-emergent, fertilizer, weekly mowing, weed control, and irrigation maintenance — so you can enjoy your yard without managing it yourself.