If you haven't done so already, it's time to get your lawn ready so it will be green and lush in the coming months.

There are three sure-fire ways to get your grass looking first class.

First, clean up the yard. If you still have leaves or debris in your yard, remove it as soon as possible.

"The wet leaves create a dampness and a matte on top of the grass and the grass does not get any sun light and is not getting any air,” said lawn care specialist Brian Franco, “It [the grass] will suffocate and the leaves will kill those areas also."

Rake up thatch as well; thatch can block nutrients from reaching grass roots.

The second order of business - seed, weed, and feed - in that order.

"A pre-emergent is put down on your grass, which is like a crab grass preventer,” said Franco. “It prevents any weeds from growing in your yard. It also prevents any other seed from growing. like grass seed. So if you are to put your early crab grass preventer down and then come back, and a month later and try to get some grass to grow in those dead areas, it's not going to grow. So we want to make sure we re-seed first before pre-emergent gets put down."

And last but not least, have your lawnmower serviced.

"It's important not to neglect your mower because your mower's condition is going to affect how your lawn looks,” said Angie Hicks of Angie’s List. “Have the blades sharpened, have it tuned up and think about getting into a shop right away because the last thing you want to do is have your lawn mower in the shop when mowing season begins."

With the extremely dry conditions last summer, lawns will require some extra attention and patience around Michiana.

"Expect a long recovery period,” said lawn care specialist Bob Andrews. “In many cases we are not dealing with just a weak lawn or a lot of weed infestations or disease. We're talking about turf that has been damaged deep down due to a long term lack of water. You're going to see this really prevalent in sodded lawns, in newer lawns, in lawns that had no irrigation during the drought period."

Andrews said all the snow this past winter will not make up for last summer's drought as the snow melt does little to help dormant grass. Experts say many lawns could take up to two years to recover from last summer's drought.

Additional Information:
Spring is an important time for your lawn. Neglect it now and you'll pay the price for the rest of the year. You don't have to go over the top with your landscaping, but you do need to pay attention to the basics.

A common issue for lawns this spring will be damage from the 2010 drought. As we move into warmer weather and the lawns begin to come out of winter dormancy, those damaged areas will begin to stand out and could take one to two years to full correct.

Identify your lawn:
There are two types of grasses: Warm-season and cool-season grasses and each requires specific treatments on specific schedules.

3 Tips to Spring Lawn Care:
Clean up the yard: If you still have leaves or debris in your yard, remove as soon as possible. Leaves left on the yard prevent it from receiving the sunlight it needs. Rake up thatch as well because thatch can block nutrients from reaching grass roots.

Seed, weed, and feed: If you have any bare spots on your lawn, now is a good time for seed. Spring is also an ideal time to apply pre-emergent herbicides, which are used to prevent crabgrass and other annual weeds from germinating. Your lawn may also benefit from fertilizer at this time. If you are unsure about the health of your lawn, take a plug of your lawn to your local nursery to learn what your lawn really needs.

Service your lawnmower: Regular maintenance on your lawnmower can help avoid ill-timed breakdowns and extend its lifecycle. A service appointment should include an oil change, sparkplugs, air filter, carburetor, cables, belts, and inspection/sharpening of the blade - dull mower blades will splinter your grass, causing it to wilt.

Hospitals and emergency rooms nationwide treat nearly 250,000 people each year who tangle with lawn mowers. Yard clean-up and mulching are lawn care jobs that many homeowners can handle, but when it comes to servicing the lawn mower or using chemicals, those jobs are best handled by a professional.

Make sure the lawn care company meets state and local certifications or licensing requirements if warranted.

The federal government requires those who apply certain chemicals to control weeds, insects or diseases to be certified pesticide applicators. If they can't provide documentation, find another company.

Beware of any company or product that promises a quick cure. Remember your lawn is a growing plant. If it is weak and damaged it will take longer to recover

Membership or certification by industry groups, such as state's landscape or nursery association, demonstrates participation in professional development programs.

Any changes to the contract or plant list should be in writing with copies of any amendments signed by all parties.

Good lawn care companies will offer tips and suggestions about caring for and maintaining the plants.

Manage your expectations. Be aware that jobs may be delayed because of weather or a lack of supplies. Check that contingencies are included in the written contract