When spring starts to blossom, so does your lawn! All the weeds, grass, and added pests may seem stressful, spring lawn care is the perfect time to start planning ahead for summer, too.
Spring lawn care is a great way to maintain your front or backyards, prep your garden, and get ready for more fun under the sun!
These tips will help you make changes yourself, but you can also work with a professional lawn care company to give your yard a spring cleaning. After winter, the grass may be in some dire need of TLC, so working with professionals can help revitalize a lawn that’s been dried out by harsh weather.
Tip #1: Start Cleaning Up Any Winter Leftovers
After the long winter season, your lawn has likely accumulated a collection of leaves, branches, twigs, and weeds that need to be thrown away. Cleaning up your yard offers ample space to fertilize, hydrate, and restore your grass to its former glory.
Tip #2: Prepare to Aerate
As grass and soil stays packed under snow, they compress and become difficult to fertilize and replenish. Worst of all, a layer of dead and decaying grass can get trapped between the soil. This material, called thatch, makes it difficult for you to restore a lawn.
Aeration is the process of puncturing holes in the soil to allow fresh air, water, and fertilizer into the soil. It’s an easy process that can be done by you or a professional.
Before you start the process, you should water your lawn every day for at least two days prior. Then, using a lawn aerator tool, cover the lawn in one direction before moving back in a perpendicular motion. Be mindful of any sprinklers during the process.
Steel spike aerators are the best for small lawns. If you have a large lawn, then hiring a professional lawn care company is likely a better option.
Tip #3: Apply Seeds for Abundant Growth
To make sure your lawn looks full and vibrant all spring and summer long, you’ll want to apply fertilizer and seeds after aeration. While seeds allow new grass to sprout, fertilizer keeps the soil strong and packed full of nutrients.
A good lawn fertilizer will ensure your lawn continues to grow throughout the season. If you have any dead or dry patches, add additional seeds to fill them in. New grass should start to sprout within two weeks.
Tip #4: Landscape
Do you want to plant a spring vegetable garden? Perhaps you want to plant some spring flowers to brighten up your home’s exterior. No matter what your spring lawn goals are, start spring landscaping early to get the maximum growth and quality throughout the season.
Spring lawn care will also play a large role in how bulbs or produce grow. Make sure you take care of the grass and soil itself first to ensure anything you plant can flourish.
Tip #5: Water and Mow Regularly
Just like trimming your hair helps it stay healthy, mowing your lawn keeps the grass strong and prevents overgrowth and thatch build-up. Mow your lawn at least once a week during a growing season, but avoid cutting the grass too short.
You can leave grass clippings on the lawn to return to the soil and provide additional nutrients. This saves time and is an economic solution for sustainable lawn care.
You should also plan on a watering schedule that doesn’t flood your garden. Too much water will damage the soil, so watering daily likely isn’t necessary. Most lawns will be fine with a good watering once or twice per week.
