When the snow is gone and the rain dwindles in, you have two options: take on your muddy yard alone or call in the professionals. How you care for your lawn and landscape in the spring will determine its success in the summer. So whether you are working with Green & Grow or doing the dirty work yourself, here are 10 tips to help ensure your lawn is the best one in the neighborhood this summer…
Do a Little Spring Cleaning
Hopefully, all the fallen leaves were cleaned up in the fall. But if you didn’t get around to this, it’s time to grab the rake and hop to it. A thorough raking will also help to remove any dead grass from the winter months.
Inspect Your Lawn
Walk around and look for any brown patches or bare spots that require obvious attention. Now is also the time to inspect your equipment. Does your mower still fire up? Could the blades be sharpened? Is your sprinkler system functioning? Do you notice any damage to your lawn from the de-icers and salt you had to use in the winter?
Reseed for New Growth
After a cold, snowy winter, your grass probably has a few bare spots. Grass and weeds are in constant competition for space to grow, so it is vital that you fill any empty spots with new grass to help prevent the growth of weed when summer rolls around.
Mow the Grass Sooner Rather Than Later
When the weather warms up and the average temperatures exceed 50 degrees Fahrenheit, grass will begin to sprout. New growth requires routine mowing. Set your mower to a higher setting to avoid cutting your lawn too short. Avoid cutting 2 ½ inches or ⅓ of the length of your grass when you mow, as this will remove too much of the grass leaf. Longer grass blades mean longer grass roots, which are capable of absorbing more nutrients and minimizing weed growth.
Edge Your Lawn
Edging creates a cleaner appearance that will improve the overall aesthetics of your lawn and landscape. Edging can also keep overgrowth onto sidewalks and flowerbeds from occurring as the lawn grows more rapidly in the late spring and early summer.
Time to Fertilize the Lawn
Fertilizer is basically the multivitamin for grass and plants. It keeps them growing healthy and looking lush. A soil test will help you determine which fertilizer you should use. You can purchase a soil test at your local home store. Be very careful to use the right amount and fertilize during the right conditions.
Get Ahead of the Weeds
You can prevent the spread of weeds by applying a pre-emergent herbicide which is essentially a preventative weed killer. If crabgrass is a big problem where you live, reach out to a local professional to see when crabgrass prevention is needed– timing is important with this application.
Prune Shrubs and Plants
Take the time to trim your shrubs and plants to optimize growth. Blooming shrubs will need to be pruned after they bloom, not before.
Keep Your Plants Hydrated
Watering routines vary by region and plant type. And in some cases, Mother Nature and local restrictions can also determine how frequently you can water your plants. Either way, it is important that you avoid over watering. Use a water gauge and a good sprinkler to ensure you are precise when it comes to how you water all your plant babies.
Aerate Your Lawn
In the spring, it is important that you aerate your lawn as often there are cases of over compaction from traffic, thinning turf due to dying grass, or excessive thatch as a result of a poor watering and feeding routine. Aerating alleviates these problems and promotes healthy growth.
Contact us (859-314-LAWN) for more information or a free instant quote!
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About Green & Grow
About Green & GrowGreen & Grow is a full service lawn care company specializing in lawn mowing, fertilization & weed control, aeration & seeding, insect control, and more!
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