Spring is the best time of the year to restore your lawn’s health and form. It is also important to care for your lawn in spring so that it becomes ready for the summer. Taking proper care during the spring can help ensure your lawn stays healthy, lush, and green during the summer months. At Barron Landscaping, we have a number of tips for you to care for your lawn during spring.
It is recommended to begin by gently raking to help prepare the lawn for new growth. This will not only help remove some fallen leaves, but can also help remove thatch up to a depth of 1/2 inch. It is recommended to use a flexible leak rake to break the thatch. This is important to prevent a disease known as snow mold from developing.
i. Aerate Your Lawn
Any lawn that gets heavy foot traffic should be aerated. Heavy traffic can cause soil compaction. Aeration helps create openings to allow air and water to reach the soil and grassroots. This should be done only if you have many spots on your lawn compacted to a degree that the grass cannot grow.
ii. Test the Soil
Next, you should check the pH level of the soil. Any presence of moss indicates the soil is acidic. For your lawn to thrive, it is important to maintain a neutral pH level. Your landscape managing company can conduct professional pH testing and take appropriate measures to correct the pH level.
For example, limestone is added to increase the pH when the soil is acidic. If the soil is too alkaline, a top dressing of elemental sulfur or compost can be applied.
iii. Overseeding
If you notice any bare patches on your turf, it may be a good idea to overseed the lawn. Professional overseeding will involve the application of grass seed to areas where new patches need to be grown. It is important to ensure the right amount of seeding is applied, so it is best to let certified experts take care of it. The seed will also need careful timing, care, and watering.
iv. Fertilization
Additionally, slow-release starter fertilizer may also need to be applied. The new seed must be kept moist until sprouting and evident growth. Quick-release nitrogen can be applied a few weeks after the grass has sprouted.
You can fertilize your lawn organically by applying a top dressing of compost or lawn clippings. You can also consider using a chemical fertilizer in consultation with your landscaping company. It is important to follow a lighter feeding in spring to keep weeds and diseases in check.
v. Apply Pre-Emergent & Post-Emergent Herbicides
There are different types of weeds and they need different treatments to be removed. You will be using pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides to deal with annual and perennial weeds, respectively. Crabgrass is a unique case, as it will need both types of herbicides due to its stubbornness. Again, these are steps that should be left to the experts.
You should next service the lawnmower, as you will be using it throughout the summer season. For more information and tips, feel free to get in touch with the Barron Landscaping team. You can give us a call at (210) 980-5695 or write to us.