Spring is beautiful! Your yard should be too!
Spring Clean Up Tips
The temperature is warming up, the wind is blowing, and the birds are singing! That means spring is here! The last frost has happened and the temperature is staying above freezing- it is time to clean that yard up from the harsh feelings of winter!
Get ahead of the game and start now in early March. If you wait too long mold will settle into those leaves that have piled up in the corners of the fence line and next to the house. The grass will die and leave you with mud after the many spring showers that are to come. Your yard needs to be refreshed and rejuvenated from the winter snow and cold!
Here are the details of a good, quality yard spring clean up:
* rake/mulch leaves
* mow when grass length is at 2"
* edge to redefine borders
* reseed damaged/bare grass
* prune and trim shrubs and trees
* remove fallen limbs and branches
* aerate for healthy regrowth
Read more about caring for your lawn:
Here is a DIY to test your soil:
Does Your Lawn Need Aerating?
First, Here are some signs that your lawn may need to be aerated:
1. The soil feels very hard and compacted.
2. After a heavy rain, your lawn has puddles.
3. Your grass seems to be disappearing or thinning while losing it's green color.
4. Your grass starts to brown and look diseased.
To test your soil if one or more of the above is true for you:
*Take a screwdriver and stick it into the soil.
*If the screwdriver does not penetrate at least 2-3 inches or it is difficult to penetrate the soil, you probably need to aerate.
So, why and when should you aerate?
*Why do we aerate our lawns- aeration reduces the compaction by making holes in the soil (much like earthworms but with a grander outcome). It allows air, water and nutrients to penetrate below the ground surface.
*When should we aerate our lawns- Aerating can be done in early spring, but it is recommended to do it in late summer to early fall. This allows time for your grass to recover and be ready for the winter dormancy.
What To Do With All This Spring Rain
Having Patience
With all the intermittent rain and sunshine that Spring brings us, we need patience when we are scheduled for a biweekly lawn maintenance. We want the rain to water our grass that has been dormant over the winter. We want the sunshine to give it the energy to keep growing. We have to be patient a bit when the grass is a bit taller than what we would prefer. A few days of tall grass is worth it when the outcome is a lush and full lawn during the summer months and it saves the bees!
Going With It
Sometimes with the fast growth of our grass during the spring, we need to just go with it! Getting it maintained every week may be the best option for us who like to see it manicured at all times. This is not a life long commitment. A weekly maintenance can occur for the few months of spring, then shift to a biweekly maintenance during the hot months of the summer. A few extra manicures a month is worth it when we have the consistent look of a manicured lawn.
You have questions.
We have answers!
Common FAQs
Q. How often should I mow the lawn?
Weekly mowing is common, but it’s more accurate to mow according to the growth of the grass. When it gets more rain or fertilizer, it grows faster and needs to be mowed more often. In the hot summer months, the heat slows down the growth, if it's not being watered regularly. A good rule of thumb- IF IT'S GROWING, IT NEEDS MOWING!
Q. How do I prevent weeds from growing?
To get ahead of the game, apply a pre-emergent herbicide in the Spring. This will give the soil a good start by preventing weeds from germinating in the Summer. When the grass is cut too short in the warm months, it allows the soil to be exposed to more sun and water, increasing weed growth. Keeping the grass high in the warm months, retains more moisture and shades the soil from the sun.
Q. Does frequent mowing thicken grass?
Frequent mowing can thicken your grass if you leave at least 3 inches of length so it can properly photosynthesize for good health. Mowing frequently promotes horizontal growth and thicker roots. Weekly mowing encourages grass to spread and become thicker, creating a lush lawn. Besides being attractive, thick grass has practical benefits; it converts carbon dioxide to oxygen, filters pollutants, and combats erosion.
Q. How do I keep my lawn green during the summer?
If your lawn doesn’t get enough rain through the summer, water deeply, consistently, and in the morning time. This keeps the water from evaporating in the summer day heat. Mowing higher (3-4 inches) during the high heat of summer, encourages the roots to grow deeper into the soil and more moisture is retained in the plant tissue, keeping your grass healthy and green. Don't forget to fertilize! This gives your lawn the green boost it deserves!
