Photo: cedarlawn.com
Spring is right around the corner and before you know it the snow will melt and your lawn will be visible once again! Worried that this winter was unkind to your lawn? Preparing your lawn for spring is essential to the perfect spring and summer lawn, and timing for some actions can be crucial.
Begin your spring prep work by clearing your lawn of debris that may have accumulated during the winter. This promotes better air flow to the grass and aids in preventing disease or insect infestation. Take a rake to any matted areas of your lawn, as well, since these areas can suffer from snow mold. This raking will help in dethatching your lawn, so you get a bonus of combining two tasks into one!
Photo: growingtogether.areavoices.com
Now that you have raked away the debris and broken up matted areas in your lawn, assess the damage and work to be done. Do you have bare spots? Are there areas that have absolutely seen better days? If you are preparing ahead of time, you can head off these issues and set your lawn up for a successful year! Ignoring these cries from help from your lawn may result in a year-long disappointment.
Find yourself battling crabgrass year after year? Begin early (before the soil reaches 55-60 degrees) and apply a pre-emergent crabgrass control to fight the weeds before their roots begin to germinate otherwise you will be fighting the good fight all summer long. Weed out any weeds that have possibly emerged early. This is also the perfect time to fertilize your yard to feed your grass.
Photo: lawnstarter.com
Your grass needs access to air and water to thrive. For spring, aerate your lawn before the soil reaches that 55-60 degree threshold to give it that access. Aerating your lawn once the soil is too warm leaves those open spots vulnerable to aggressive weed seeds, effectively making your work turn against you.
We know it is easier to put off mowing until you just cannot stand looking at the yard any longer, but for a lush lawn for spring mow, and mow early and mow often. For the first several weeks, mow your lawn every five or six days instead of letting a full week pass. This will give you a thicker, fuller lawn for spring and summer!
Photo: thespruce.com
Read our article on mulching techniques and consider any work that needs to be done. Having a new layer of mulch down can help your landscaping thrive. Be sure to choose a mulch appropriate for your plants and to spread the right amount around so your flower beds flourish. Since spring is right around the corner, revitalizing your landscaping with fresh mulch will also give your lawn a finished, manicured look all around!
Preparing for spring means trimming back the trees and bushes. In order for these to thrive with new growth, you need to trim away the dead branches. Trim the branches back to healthy, living growth in order to help protect your trees and bushes from infestation and disease. Dead limbs can also fall, thereby posing a risk to personal safety as well as the safety of your property. As it can be dangerous, it is always best to consult a professional and have them handle these larger tasks.
Preparing your lawn for spring is essential to having that lush lawn you desire. Though the timing of your actions can be crucial, the payoff is worth the effort and planning that goes into it. Following the simple advice given, your lawn will be the talk of the town! Have you begun preparing your lawn for spring yet?
Spring is near! NVS Landscapes offers spring cleanup services. Contact us if you’re interested in a quote using the form below, or give us a call:
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