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QUINCY, ILL. -- The temperatures are finally getting to the point where many Tri State area residents are wanting to get outside and get their yards and lawn into shape after a long and cold winter.

But what are some of the things you need to know about before spreading fertilizer and making sure the blades on your lawn mower are sharp and ready for mowing.

We spoke to Travis Friye at Bergman Nurseries in Quincy and he says crabgrass is the biggest problem people will face this spring.

But he says if you need to reseed your lawn now's the time to do it and treat the crabgrass in about eight weeks.

Friye says, "if there is some rain in the forecast within the next 24 to 48 hours that is the time to spread your fertilizer. Like doing it right before like the day we have today. Get that fertilizer down on some wet grass."

Friye says you can treat that problematic crabgrass in your yard from now through the end of summer.

But if you plant grass seed now, you'll want to wait for a few weeks before applying the crabgrass killer.