Spring is the time of year that homeowners are finally able to get back onto their lawns to do some work and enjoy them. Following the proper spring lawn care tips is essential for having a healthy and beautiful lawn throughout the year.
Cool Season Grasses
Grasses such as fescue, bluegrass, and rye will start greening up and growing. This is the time when proper maintenance and lawn care practices are essential, especially to help prepare for the dormant summer months when the lawn will endure most of its stress.
Warm Season Grasses
Warm season grasses such as Bermuda and Zoysia will start their green up and growing season in the late spring, usually in April or May depending on the weather.
Clean Up & Yard Work
Any leaves or debris that fell late fall or over winter should be cleaned up as soon as possible. Debris on the lawn can cause disease as well as death to the lawn by blocking essential sunlight, nutrients, and water. It is important to clean this stuff up gently and make sure that the lawn is dry enough to be on. Traffic on a saturated lawn can cause damage as well as compaction.
Fertilizer & Pre-emergent & Weed Control
Early spring is the time to be applying fertilizer and pre-emergent. Pre-emergent helps prevent crabgrass and other weeds but the barrier for it must be created before germination. Fertilizer is typically applied in two doses throughout the spring months; this will help for a quick green-up and help build strength before heading into summer. Spring weeds are some of the worst and should be treated to ensure they do not overtake the lawn and cause damage.
Mowing
It is important to keep up on mowing as needed throughout the rainy growing season, sometimes this means as frequent as every couple of days. Proper mowing practices should be followed such as sharp mower blades, not letting the grass get too tall, and not removing more than 1/3 the grass blade.
Seeding
Seeding in the spring months can be a battle. While it is a decent time to seed, weed control and pre-emergent cannot be used, thus promoting a battle with weeds. It is ideal to seed in the fall but if a spring seeding is absolutely necessary weeds will be a struggle throughout the year.
Sum it up
Following these spring lawn care tips is the first step to a beautiful lawn. Cleaning up debris, following the proper lawn care regime, mowing properly, and holding off on seeding (if possible) will allow for a more enjoyable lawn and help it withstand the upcoming summer stress.
It is always a good idea to consult with a lawn care professional and ask any questions you may have. Look around, ask friends or family, and research companies on the Better Business Bureau to find a company that you can trust.