LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Winter hit Kentuckiana hard the last few weeks of February. But before all the snow melts, it's actually a good time to start your spring lawn care.

The Home Depot's Joe Autry says using a pre-emergent and patching the lawn now now will help your lawn get a leg up on spring growth. 

Make a sweep

What's going on with your yard? Walk around your yard and check for wear and tear, good drainage and any damage caused by a long winter. Do you have barren spots or areas overgrown with weeds? Assess your needs before getting started this season.

Weeds and bald spots

Nothing ruins a beautiful, sloping lawn like weeds. Get rid of them easily this year with products like Amdro PowerFlex Weed and Grass Killer - it starts working immediately and kills weeds and unwelcome grasses down to their roots.   Pre-emergents should be applied before the grass starts to green, if you want to rid your yard of crabgrass and dandelions.  If you wait until the grass begins to green, you've waited too long.

To patch bare spots, thatch the bare spot with a rake.  Pour sand until the ground is level.  Then, cover with soil and work it with a rake. Finally, apply grass seed.  Be sure to water to promote growth.

Later work:  Fertilizer

It's a step many people skip over, but a good quality fertilizer can be the key to a beautiful yard. Fertilize once in the spring and then again in the fall. For a healthy yard, choose a fertilizer like Scotts Southern Turf Builder, with a large percentage of slow-release nitrogen and micronutrients. If you're looking for an organic fertilizer, try Scotts Natural Lawn Food. Err on the side of under-fertilizing versus overdoing it - too much fertilizer can dry out your lawn or cause thatch to develop.

For more information on lawn care tips or anything related to the garden, sign up for The Garden Club at www.homedepot.com/gardenclub which provides regionalized information, forums and deals.

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