Welcome to the South Shore — where our lawns are as much a part of our homes as the kitchen table or the backyard hammock. And just like those spaces, your lawn deserves a little love. Spring is the perfect time to kickstart a lawn that’s lush, green, and barefoot-ready.
At Lusso Verde Design, we know exactly how Long Island’s coastal climate affects your grass, your soil, and your sanity. That’s why we’ve built this all-in-one guide — packed with local tips, real solutions, and insider secrets to help your lawn thrive from early spring through summer.
Whether you’re going DIY or ready to hand it off to the pros, this is your go-to resource.
📅 Spring Lawn Care Timeline for Long Island
Late March – April
- Remove debris and rake out thatch
- Test your soil (DIY or professional)
- Apply lime if your pH is low
- Begin light mowing and edging
- Schedule sprinkler system inspection
Mid–Late April
- Apply crabgrass pre-emergent (when soil hits ~55°F)
- Fertilize or apply compost depending on soil results
- Begin core aeration if lawn is compacted
- Address bare patches with seed + peat cover
May
- Power up your irrigation with a smart controller
- Spot-spray weeds or use broadleaf weed control
- Mow consistently (but never cut more than 1/3 blade height)
- Begin flower bed prep and mulch work
🌱 Step 1: Test the Soil — Or You’re Just Guessing
Long Island lawns — especially those near the water — often suffer from acidic, sandy soil that doesn’t retain nutrients well.
🔬 DIY Soil Test Tip:
You can bring your soil sample to the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County in Yaphank. They’ll test pH, nutrient levels, and more.
📍 Location: 423 Griffing Avenue, Riverhead, NY 11901
📞 Call ahead: (631) 727-7850
🌐 ccesuffolk.org
Not sure how to take a sample? Dig 3–4 inches deep in a few lawn spots, mix them, and place 1 cup of dry soil in a clean zip bag.
💧 Step 2: Tune Up Your Irrigation System
Most lawn damage in spring doesn’t come from drought — it comes from poor irrigation setups.
At Lusso Verde, we check:
- Leaks from frozen pipes or cracked heads
- Clogged or tilted nozzles
- Pressure imbalances
- Inefficient programming that wastes water
- Drainage near driveways and foundations
Bonus: We install Wi-Fi-enabled smart controllers that adjust automatically based on rainfall, temperature, and season — helping you save water and keep your lawn green.
Got a Barn or Workshop outside of your Orbi wireless network range? Visit GNS Wireless…they fix Wi-Fi and expand your network range to wherever you need.
🧹 Step 3: Spring Cleanup & Dethatching
Clear leaves, pine needles, and debris to let your grass breathe. Use a power rake or dethatching rake if you see a thick, dead layer of grass at the base. Too much thatch chokes roots and blocks nutrients.
“We thought our lawn was dead. Lusso Verde cleaned it, aerated, and in 2 weeks it was lush again.”
– Laura F., Blue Point
🌾 Step 4: Fertilize with Strategy
Apply slow-release fertilizer in April or early May — ideally just before a rain. The best blend for Long Island lawns is usually:
- Nitrogen-rich for lush growth
- Balanced potassium for stress tolerance
- Phosphorus if you’re seeding or patching
🚫 Avoid fast-release or cheap chain-store blends — they burn fast, feed weeds, and disappear too quickly in our sandy soil.
🌿 Step 5: Reseed & Repair Bare Spots
Long Island winters + snow plow salt = lawn damage. Fix it with:
- Topsoil + seed mix (match your lawn type!)
- Starter fertilizer
- Light watering twice daily
- Cover with straw or peat moss
Avoid using weed & feed products while seeding — they’ll kill your new growth before it starts.
📊 DIY vs. Pro Lawn Care — What’s Worth Hiring Out?
| Task | DIY Friendly | Leave to the Pros |
|---|---|---|
| Soil Testing | ✅ | 🔁 |
| Irrigation Startup | ⚠️ | ✅ |
| Aeration & Overseeding | 🔁 | ✅ |
| Fertilizing | ✅ | 🔁 |
| Weed Control | ✅ (small scale) | ✅ |
| Mowing | ✅ | 🔁 |
| Full Program Management | ❌ | ✅ |
🔁 = Depends on your time, tools, and energy.
👎 Why Most Lawn Services Fall Short
They:
- Use generic fertilizer bags
- Don’t check pH
- Ignore shady vs sunny zones
- Overwater or underwater
- Show up late — or not at all
We don’t.
✅ What Makes Lusso Verde Different
- Soil testing included in lawn care packages
- Smart irrigation systems that actually save you money
- Locally sourced mulch and compost blends
- High-end results without high-maintenance headaches
- We answer the phone. We show up. We care.
💬 Ready for the Best Lawn on the Block?
Let us take spring lawn care off your plate — and give you back a lawn that’s worthy of weekend barbecues, barefoot kids, and quiet evening walks.
📞 Call 516-214-0325
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.lussoverdedesign.com
