5 Lawn Care Tips for the Spring

Winter is soon ready to depart, and spring is on its way. During spring, you will have more chances to engage in lawn care and prepare your lawn for the summer. The following lawn care tips will assist you in starting the season off on the right foot and keeping your lawn healthy for the rest of the year.

Clear Up the Lawn

When the snow finally melts, you’ll notice that the winter has left an abundance of accumulated debris and garbage in your lawn. Start clearing up the trash from your lawn and place twigs, leaves, branches, and dead grass in the compost pile. Clearing up your lawn will allow your grass to grow in a healthy manner and will make it easier for you to complete your other spring lawn care tasks.

Repair Your Soil

The winter can also take a toll on your soil. Make sure you walk around and spot any potential issues with it. If you notice uneven ground, grab a shovel and cut away raised areas and fill in the lower areas to ensure proper growing conditions. If you notice compacted soil, test out to see how hardened it is and use an aerator to loosen it up. Take care of thatch by using either a rake or a mechanized thatcher, depending on how much there is.

Seed the Area

Look out for any brown or bare spots in your lawn. When you buy your seed, determine what type of seed will grow in your area with the amount of sunlight available. Estimate the area where you’ll spread the seeds and make sure you distribute as evenly as possible. Once you’ve planted your seeds, water them regularly to ensure the best growth. Once the grass has grown tall enough, you can start using the fertilizer and mow, if necessary.

Fertilize Your Lawn

Make sure you use the best fertilizer for your lawn by running a soil test to determine the pH level. Generally, a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer will do the trick. Time your fertilizing correctly to avoid damaging your grass either by getting frozen or from the heat. Try not to overfertilize and use no more than a pound spread over 1,000 square feet. If any fertilizer gets on your sidewalks, clean it up to prevent it from washing off into the rivers, streams, or water wells.

Mow Your Grass Early

By late spring, your grass may grow tall enough that you’ll need to mow it. However, it is still a relatively vulnerable time for your grass. Adjust the height of your mower to make sure you cut the grass tall. Tall grass can sink deeper roots and prevent weeds from growing. Shading also occurs, which lets the soil retain more water. By contrast, close cutting leads to weaker grass, excessive sunlight exposure in the soil, and a prominence of weeds. While different types of grass have a variety of appropriate cutting heights, the rule of thumb is usually one third from the top of the blade.

By taking this advice, you will make sure you start off the year on a positive note for your lawn.

Sources:
https://home.howstuffworks.com/5-spring-lawn-care-tips4.htm
https://www.scotts.com/en-us/library/lawn-care-basics/spring-lawn-care-tips
https://gilmour.com/spring-lawn-care-tip