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Spring Yard Prep in Illinois & Indiana — Your 2026 Guide

Feb. 10 2026 Seasonal By AHW LLC

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As winter loosens its grip across Illinois and Indiana, homeowners are eager to bring their lawns, gardens, and landscapes back to life. Early spring is the ideal time to prepare your yard for a healthy growing season—and with the right equipment from AHW John Deere, you can make that work easier, faster, and more enjoyable.

1. Inspect Your Lawn After Winter

Snow, ice, and fluctuating temperatures can leave turf compacted or patchy.

  • Walk the property and check for bare spots.
  • Rake away matted leaves and winter debris.

2. Aerate Early for Better Root Growth

Illinois and Indiana lawns often benefit from spring aeration—especially clay-heavy soils or areas that experienced heavy foot traffic over winter.

Using a John Deere Aerator Attachment for your lawn tractor helps:

  • Reduce compaction
  • Improve nutrient uptake
  • Stimulate early root growth

3. Apply a Pre-Emergent Herbicide

Crabgrass is one of the biggest spring lawn challenges in the Midwest. Apply a pre-emergent when soil temps hit around 50–55°F for several days.

You can monitor local soil temps using local ag extension tools or a simple thermometer probe.

4. Tune Up Your Equipment

Before mowing season begins, make sure your equipment is ready:

  • Sharpen mower blades
  • Change oil & filters
  • Test belts & battery
  • Check tire pressure

AHW can perform full spring inspections for John Deere mowers, tractors, Gators, and compact utility equipment! 

5. Start Mowing at the Right Time

Once your grass reaches 3–4 inches, begin mowing—but avoid cutting more than ⅓ of the blade at once.

John Deere mowers offer adjustable cutting heights, making it simple to maintain a healthy early-season schedule.