 | Okay, I know what you’re thinking: it’s February. There’s snow on the ground, and we can probably expect some more before winter is over. And we’ve certainly not seen the end of cold days. But, believe it or not, spring is right around the corner. That means it’s time to start thinking about getting your lawn ready. Once the winter weather breaks, it’s time to get to work, but there’s no reason why you can’t get a little planning done now. Follow the below steps for a healthier, more beautiful lawn this year. |
Break out the Rake
The first thing you’ll want to do when the cold weather breaks is to get out your rake and thoroughly sweep your yard of leaves and other debris that have been left there over the course of the winter. Those debris can block light and air from getting to your grass, preventing it from growing well.
One thing to note, however, is that you shouldn’t rake too rigorously, as that may damage your turf and the soil, encouraging the growth of weeds. An aggressive 'dethatching' is rarely necessary.
Aerate
Remember those debris I talked about above? They have a tendency to build up on top of soil into what’s called lawn thatch. This thatch inhibits nutrients and water from penetrating the soil. Because of this, many people recommend regularly dethatching your lawn. Use caution though. Dethatching can be very hard on your turf and actually do more harm than good. Dethatching shouldn’t be done unless absolutely necessary. As an intermediate step, consider aerating your lawn instead.
Aeration is the process of piercing the soil with small holes to allow water, oxygen, and nutrients to better penetrate the soil and feed your lawn; it gets the good stuff right to the root of your grass. There are several ways to aerate your grass, from aeration machines to spiked rollers to manually aerating with a garden fork. A professional core aeration is usually the most effective method to accomplish this.
Lay Down Weed Prevention
Finally, you’re going to want to get a handle on the weed situation before they can get started in earnest. Crabgrass will start to germinate in your soil after the ground temperature hits or exceeds 55℉ for a few days in a row. Keep an eye on that, and you’ll know when it’s time to break out the weed and feed.
One thing to note, however, is that Spring isn’t the best time to get rid of all your weeds. For instance, dandelions can be treated much more effectively in the fall rather than the spring. For the best results, take an inventory of the weeds you’re fighting, and do a little research on the best way and time to take them out.
By putting in a bit of work in the spring, you’ll be able to enjoy a lush, healthy lawn all summer.
-Dave
The first thing you’ll want to do when the cold weather breaks is to get out your rake and thoroughly sweep your yard of leaves and other debris that have been left there over the course of the winter. Those debris can block light and air from getting to your grass, preventing it from growing well.
One thing to note, however, is that you shouldn’t rake too rigorously, as that may damage your turf and the soil, encouraging the growth of weeds. An aggressive 'dethatching' is rarely necessary.
Aerate
Remember those debris I talked about above? They have a tendency to build up on top of soil into what’s called lawn thatch. This thatch inhibits nutrients and water from penetrating the soil. Because of this, many people recommend regularly dethatching your lawn. Use caution though. Dethatching can be very hard on your turf and actually do more harm than good. Dethatching shouldn’t be done unless absolutely necessary. As an intermediate step, consider aerating your lawn instead.
Aeration is the process of piercing the soil with small holes to allow water, oxygen, and nutrients to better penetrate the soil and feed your lawn; it gets the good stuff right to the root of your grass. There are several ways to aerate your grass, from aeration machines to spiked rollers to manually aerating with a garden fork. A professional core aeration is usually the most effective method to accomplish this.
Lay Down Weed Prevention
Finally, you’re going to want to get a handle on the weed situation before they can get started in earnest. Crabgrass will start to germinate in your soil after the ground temperature hits or exceeds 55℉ for a few days in a row. Keep an eye on that, and you’ll know when it’s time to break out the weed and feed.
One thing to note, however, is that Spring isn’t the best time to get rid of all your weeds. For instance, dandelions can be treated much more effectively in the fall rather than the spring. For the best results, take an inventory of the weeds you’re fighting, and do a little research on the best way and time to take them out.
By putting in a bit of work in the spring, you’ll be able to enjoy a lush, healthy lawn all summer.
-Dave
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