Spring is here, and it’s time to start thinking about getting your lawn ready for the warmer months ahead. A healthy lawn not only looks great, but it can also add value to your property. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some essential spring lawn care tips to help you get started.
Clean Up Your Lawn
The first step to getting your lawn ready for spring is to clean up any debris that accumulated over the winter. This includes leaves, twigs, and any other debris that may have blown onto your lawn. You can use a rake or leaf blower to remove the debris, making sure to clear it away from any flower beds or other plants. This is a great step to do in the early spring as the snow melts away. This step can be completed by a professional landscaping group if you don’t have the time or any other limitations.
Aerate Your Lawn
Aeration is the process of creating small holes in the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass. Over time, the soil can become compacted, which makes it difficult for the roots to get the oxygen and nutrients they need to grow. Loosening up compacted soil is one of the great spring lawn care steps. Aeration can be done using a machine called a core aerator, which removes small plugs of soil from your lawn.
Fertilize Your Lawn
Fertilizing your lawn is an essential part of spring lawn care. Applying a balanced fertilizer in the spring can help promote healthy growth and improve the color of your grass. When choosing a fertilizer, look for one that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in a balanced ratio. Promoting a green lawn and demoting lawn disease, this is a step that should be taken every year. You can either apply the fertilizer yourself or hire a professional lawn care company to do it for you.
Seed Bare Spots
If you have any bare patches or spots in your lawn, now is the time to seed them. Use a high-quality new grass seed that’s appropriate for your climate and soil type. You can either seed by hand or use a spreader to ensure even coverage. Be sure to water the area regularly to help the grass seeds germinate. Also pay attention to the recommended climate for that particular seed. There is a difference between warm season grass and cool season grass growth and maintenance.
Weed Control
Spring is also the time to start controlling weeds in your lawn. Weeds can quickly take over your lawn if left unchecked, so it’s important to start early. You can either use a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weed seeds from germinating or a post-emergent herbicide to kill existing weeds. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully and avoid applying herbicides on windy days.
Water Your Lawn
Proper watering is critical for maintaining a healthy lawn. During the spring, you should aim to water your lawn deeply but infrequently. This means watering your lawn for longer periods but less frequently. A good rule of thumb is to water your lawn once a week for about an hour. However, this may vary depending on your climate and soil type. In the Idaho Falls area, it is recommended to water every 2-3 days. If you have a professionally installed sprinkler system, the timer can be adjusted to match recommendations for your climate. Beware of overwatering, fungus can grow and take essential nutrients from your lawn and soil.
Mow Your Lawn
Finally, it’s time to pull out the lawn mower and start mowing your lawn again. When mowing, you should aim to remove no more than one-third of the grass blades at a time. This means mowing your lawn more frequently in the spring when the grass is growing quickly. Having tall grass in the summer is good to provide shade to the roots, but in the spring it is recommended to keep it shorter. Be sure to keep your mower blades sharp to ensure a clean cut, and avoid mowing when the grass is wet. If your mower wont start, or you do not have the ability to mow your lawn, it can be mowed professionally with grass clippings removal.
Conclusion
Taking care of your lawn in the spring can help ensure a healthy, lush lawn all summer long. By following these essential spring lawn care tips, you can promote healthy growth, control weeds, and keep your lawn looking great. Remember to clean up your lawn, aerate the soil, fertilize, seed bare spots, control weeds, water deeply but infrequently, and mow your lawn regularly. With a little bit of effort, you can enjoy a beautiful lawn all season long.
The Idaho Falls area has many options for great lawn care. New Leaf Maintenance is a great option that will help get your lawn looking like the best on the block. Schedule your consultation today!
