Hear those birds chirping at your window again? Notice daylight lasting longer? Have you ditched your heavy coat for a light jacket and put the snowblower in storage? Yes, spring has arrived—and while the season is synonymous with new beginnings and various chores and tasks, one that you shouldn’t overlook is that of getting your yard in shape.
If you’re aiming for a lush, green lawn this year, a yard that enhances your curb appeal and boosts your satisfaction as a homeowner, spring lawn and landscape prep is where the magic happens. Let’s dive into some general spring lawn care tips to help you get your lawn looking fantastic this year.
Spring Lawn and Landscape Prep Tips
Some general spring lawn care tips include:
Rake and De-thatch
Once the weather breaks, start with some basic spring lawncare cleanup. Grab a rake from your garage or rent a power rake from your local hardware store and de-thatch your yard. In addition to removing any debris that’s accumulated on your lawn since fall, giving your lawn a good rake will also loosen up any matted clumps of grass.
Just be sure that the soil is firm when you perform this initial raking. If the soil is still too soft or muddy, you could do more harm than good to your lawn.
Once you have raked your yard and have collected any yard waste or debris, Kurtz Bros. is here to help remove that from your property. Read more here.
Fertilize Your Lawn
Wondering when to apply fertilizer in spring? We suggest applying a rapid-release fertilizer a few weeks after your grass starts to green or after the first few mowings. Rapid-release fertilizers are designed so your lawn absorbs nutrients quickly, giving your lawn a nice spring boost. You can also consider a pre-emergent fertilizer that can help prevent common weeds, like crabgrass, from germinating.
Mow Right
Early spring is also a great time to tune up your lawn mower. If you have a gas-powered mower, consider changing the oil and spark plugs. Consider also sharpening the blades on your mower. Sharp blades cut through grass cleanly and effectively, which reduces the risk of damage to your lawn and helps result in a nicer overall cut.
Additionally, be sure not to mow too much of your lawn. To ensure the health of your lawn and encourage root growth and development, set your mower settings so you’re only removing about one-third of the length of the grass blades. Mowing to the right length also creates shade on the soil, minimizing the risk of weed growth.
Aerate
Aerating, a process that removes small plugs of soil from your lawn, helps remove thatch, and also assists with reducing soil compaction. Aeration will also work to bring more oxygen to the grassroots and better stimulate growth throughout the season. Consider overseeing your lawn as you perform aeration.
Repair Burned Spots
Spring is also the time of year when you might discover yard salt burn or other dead spots on your lawn. Yard salt burn occurs when excess salt used on roads, sidewalks, and driveways seeps into your lawn, essentially “burning” the grass and leaving brown spots. To get rid of brown spots, flush them with water, then add gypsum to the lawn and re-seed it.
Best Practices for Watering
Try to ensure that your lawn receives at least one inch of water per week, whether naturally from spring showers or via your sprinklers. Watering is best done during the morning hours to fully penetrate the soil before evaporation occurs when the sun is stronger throughout the day. Ideally, it’s best to water deeply and frequently.
Soil Preparation and Seeding Tips
Because it’s the “growing season,” spring is also the time of year to do any seeding or overseeding. The mix of warm daytime temperatures, moisture, and cool nights makes for ideal growing conditions.
Do you have any bare or thin spots in your lawn that could use seeding? Here’s a look at the best approach to take for bringing these spaces back to life:
- Rake the area to loosen the soil and remove any thatch or debris.
- Consider amending the soil to promote ideal growth conditions. Do this by raking in a compost mix, which helps improve the soil structure and provides more nutrients than conventional soil.
- Add your grass seed. Make sure you select a seed type that matches the rest of your lawn.
- Lightly rake in a thin layer of top dressing to cover the seeds and water the area.
- Water this area numerous times throughout the day to ensure it’s always moist. You can also add in a starter fertilizer to accelerate germination and growth.
Contact Kurtz Bros. Inc. Today
Spring into action and don’t let your garden be the only thing that’s growing—let your knowledge flourish too! As you tackle your spring lawn care with raking, fertilizing, and aerating, remember: the grass is always greener when you mow it just right. And if you spot some brown patches, don’t just stand there! Give them a little TLC and watch them transform into lush green highlights.
Need to know more about turning your yard into the envy of your Northeast Ohio neighborhood? Contact Kurtz Bros. Inc. today. We’ve got the dirt on all things soil, seeds, and sustainability. Spring isn’t just a season; it’s an opportunity—so let’s grow together!
