Spring Spotlight: 4 lawn care dos and don’ts

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Spring springs at the end of this month, which may come as a shock if you’re still donned in layers of sweaters or defrosting your car windows in the morning. But a brand new season really is on the way and sooner than you can say “April showers” lawnmowers, hedge trimmers and spades will return from their winter hibernation in your garage or shed.

Here are three important cleaning, fertilizing and mowing tips to get your spring lawn lush again:

  • Even Leavin’: Half a year of rain, snow and wind has probably dried out your lawn and left it patchy and uneven. Start with a light raking to remove stray leaves as well as a heavier rake or dethatcher to untangle dense ground roots, which make it hard to resuscitate the soil. Then use a shovel to lower raised areas and fill in spots where the soil has eroded. This will make it easier to mow your lawn more evenly later.
  • Reseeding: Before spreading seeds, find out which are most appropriate to your part of the country. Sunlight and temperature can also impact how successful your grass seeds grow so wait until a few warm spring days ideally above 65F before you start. Consider a soil test to help you determine which nutrients your garden is missing. Then water and fertilize your lawn at regular intervals. Ask your gardening expert if you’re not sure.
  • Water: A healthy lawn needs about an inch of water a week. Rain is preferable so unless it hasn’t rained for three weeks or more, there’s no need for the sprinkler. When it is called for, 15-20 minutes for each area of your lawn is more than enough.
  • Whoa on the mow: A tall, thick lawn makes it more difficult for weeds to establish themselves and also helps the soil retain moisture, so avoid mowing your grass too low or too often once a week will do. Also keep in mind that a low mow removes many of the nutrients stores in grass leaves, inhibiting their growth and making them less healthy.

Given up on your lawn? Here are some low maintenance alternatives to grass turf.

What are your proven dos and don’ts for keeping your lawn in shape? Share them now in the Shop Talk Blog community forum!

 

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Did you know: 4 million plants in your garden

Each blade of grass is actually an individual plant. That means a typical lawn contains as many as 4 million grass plants. How about that? (Source)

 

 

35 thoughts on “Spring Spotlight: 4 lawn care dos and don’ts”

  1. Mowing grass is turned into a giant pain in my ass! I have acre and half which is huge ! and trees with tons of daed branches on the ground!

  3. It is already time to start watering the grass early in the morning here in Alabama. I believe early morning is the best time for watering. Now it is time to get the riding lawnmower out and check the oil and put in the gas. Clean the lawn mower and get started. Also get the push mower out and clean it up from the dust it has collected during the winter in the the shed. .Check the blades in both mowers to check if any debrie might be there. See if anything on the mowers need cleaning. Be sure to check all of the above before you start cutting the grass. Rake the lawn. Pick up any limbs that may have fallen in the winter storms. Put on a hat, gloves and saftey sunglasses. If you are far from the house, as we are with so much to cut, be sure to take your cell phone in case of emergency like getting stuck in the mud, feeling too hot, or you have problems with the mowing. Good luck and God bless…

  4. I agree with most of the comments. In a turf management class I took in college a while back for my Hort degree, we were told that it’s better to water early in the AM if at all possible because that way, the water can be absorbed fully and not risk being on the plants at night when temps are usually cooler/less evaporation which can lead to problems with fungus/mold and some turf diseases.

    Golf courses tend to water very early in the morning for their typical maintenance.

  5. THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME WITH THE INFO I NEED TO HAVE BEAUTIFUL GRASS .YOU HAVE GIVEN ME SO MUCH GOOD ADVICE AND INFO

  6. I knew all this info already. I have mostly small stones covering my yard. I have a very small area with mulch, but no grass and I love it!

  8. My grass grows how it may and I just mow it weekly. I just want it to be green

  9. my lawn is a mess from the winter and will take some doing to clean up and get in shape… thanks for reminding me – haha..

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