Any experienced homeowner knows that maintaining a beautiful lawn takes work that goes far beyond the hot days of summer. Quality lawn care begins in early spring and carries on well into the fall months before allowing the lawn to go dormant over the winter. However, even experienced homeowners can get confused about the best spring lawn care schedule to maintain. Most homeowners will learn how to develop their own spring lawn care schedule that will take into account the individual needs of their specific soil and lawn.
Thatching
No matter where you live, thatching is usually number one on any spring lawn care schedule. Thatch can build up over the summer and cold weather months, choking the lawn and keeping air and nutrients from getting to the roots of the grass where it is needed. Thatching can be done with a regular metal rake or a specific thatching tool and it should be done as early as possible in the spring lawn care schedule to allow the grass time to breathe and soak in important moisture and nutrients.
Soil Preparation
The next step on the spring lawn care schedule is to examine the soil. Soil tests can be done at home with the help of a lawn care product purchased from any garden center. If you find that your soil is lacking in a particular nutrient like nitrogen, you can add a fertilizer heavier in this substance. It is also important to check for compacted soil. Compacted soil can make it difficult for air and nutrients to get underneath the surface to the roots. The best solution is to add aeration to your spring lawn care schedule. You may know you live in an area with compacted soil by the advertisements you receive for aeration services. You can take advantage of one of those or do it yourself with a machine rented from the garden center.
Feeding and Watering
A light fertilizing is usually recommended for the spring lawn care schedule that will promote color and growth in the early months of the season. A lawn spreader will ensure that the fertilizer goes onto the grass in a smooth, even layer for best results. Water at this time can often come from Mother Nature, but keep a rain gauge handy to ensure your lawn is getting as much moisture as it needs. If not, you may need to crank on the sprinkler or haul out the hose to ensure your lawn is properly watered.
A spring lawn care schedule will ensure that your yard is ready to greet the warm weather months ahead with style and color. These tips are the perfect way to kick your yard work into gear for another season.