The first day of Spring is technically March 20, but spring lawn care depends more on the weather for your area than the calendar. Lawn care is a year round effort, and as soon as the risk of frost has passed and spring’s forsythia blooms, it is time to put these six steps to work from the http://www.lawnservice.net web site and prepare your yard for a beautiful summer season.
1. Preparation – rake the yard to remove any stray leaves and twigs, and remove thatch. Check for any signs of snow mould and bare spots that may need overseeding. Test the soil’s pH (http://soilplantandpest.utk.edu/) to see if you need to adjust the acidic balance – grass does best in a neutral soil. Sharpen the mower blades and start the mower to check if it starts easily or it might need a pre-season tune-up – or possibly a replacement with a new mower.
2. Fertilization – It’s usually best to fertilize a lawn in the fall, however if the pH balance is off, you can add fertilizer or lime, as needed, in the spring to help fully prepare the lawn for summer. If overseeding, apply a quick-release nitrogen fertilizer after the new grass germinates. Avoid over fertilizing in the spring, which can result in disease and weed problems.
3. Weed Control – Depending upon whether the weeds you need to fight are annuals or perennials. For annuals like crabgrass, you will need to use a preemergent herbicide (before the seedlings emerge). For perennials, like dandelions, a postemergent herbicide (after the weed has sprouted and bloomed) for broadleaf weeds can be applied, however this treatment is more effective in the fall.
4. Aeration and Seeding – If thatch or compaction is a problem, fall is the best time to aerate the soil. Bare patches in the grass from dog spots or overuse can be filled in by applying grass seed along with a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer. However, overseeding is usually more effective in the fall.
5. Control Disease and Insects – treat moss, fungus and mould with herbicides and fungicides. For insects, first identify the type of insect and then buy the right formula to eliminate them: cinch bugs, grubs, billbugs, army worms, cutworms, fire ants, beetles, bee and wasps, mole crickets or other insects? Also treat early to eliminate nuisance pests, such as spiders, ticks, mosquitoes and fleas. There are a variety of products on the market to tackle even the toughest pest. For best results, use a rotary spreader and apply during a period no wind.
6. Maintenance – mowing and watering the grass regularly is crucial to maintain a healthy and attractive lawn. Most homeowners prefer a weekly cutting schedule except during periods of drought or extreme heat. Do not mow the grass when it is wet from morning dew or rain. Each time you mow, cut off only the top 1/3 of the grass blade. The ideal grass height is about 2 1/2 inches tall after mowing.
Besides the satisfaction of an attractive yard, a well maintained lawn can add value to your property. A recent Virginia Tech study revealed that landscaping and well tended lawns increase property values by an average of 7.5%. For example a home valued at £150,000 with no landscaping could be worth £158,000 to £169,000 if it had landscaping with plants, flowers for colour and a pristine lawn.
