By:
Stu Rowland, Director of Agronomy
As the days get longer and temperatures begin to rise, your lawn and landscape are waking up from winter — just like the golf course. Spring is one of the most important times of the year for setting the foundation for healthy, resilient turf through the heat of summer.
At the Club, we focus heavily on preparation, recovery and consistency this time of year. The good news? Many of those same principles apply right at home.
1. Start Clean: Reset After Winter
Remove leaves, sticks and debris. Lightly rake matted areas and redefine bed edges. On the golf course, we want sunlight, air and warmth reaching the turf as quickly as possible. Debris slows everything down and can create disease pressure.
2. Soil First: Feed the Foundation
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer and consider a soil test if you want precision. Avoid over-fertilizing early — it creates excessive growth and stress later. We don’t chase color on the course — we build sustainable growth.
3. Mowing Matters More Than You Think
Raise your mowing height slightly in spring, never remove more than one-third of the blade and keep blades sharp. Mowing is the most important cultural practice — done right, it drives turf health.
4. Water Smart, Not More
Water deeply but infrequently, ideally in the early morning. Adjust for rainfall. Too much water weakens roots and invites disease. Precision moisture management is key.
5. Get Ahead of Weeds
Apply pre-emergent herbicides before weeds germinate and spot treat early. The best defense is a dense, healthy lawn that naturally crowds weeds out.
Final Thought:
Think Like a Superintendent
The difference between an average lawn and a great one is consistency and timing.
Focus on small, disciplined actions done well each week, avoid extremes, and pay attention to what your lawn is telling you.
Stu Rowland is the Director of Agronomy at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at 760.275.9459 and srowland@cordilleraranch.com.
