The Start of Spring: What Your Lawn Needs Now

After months of cold weather and dormant grass, your landscape will finally start to come alive again as springtime temperatures arrive. Don’t miss this critical stage in lawn care. There are some specific steps you should take to prepare your yard for optimal growth and vibrancy in the coming springtime months.

#1 Clean Up – But Be Gentle

You may be anxious to give your landscape a good spring cleaning, and this is encouraged. However, be careful with your raking efforts and foot traffic. Your early spring soil isn’t dry enough to withstand heavy work. Be gentle as you remove leaves and debris so that you don’t disturb soggy soil or cause compaction that will threaten the tender grass shoots lying underneath.

#2 Stay Ahead of Weeds

Spring is the best time to prevent weeds. You can complete your first application of pre-emergent weed control, which is designed to keep the weed seeds from germinating. Be advised, however, that if you choose to apply a pre-emergent herbicide, it is active for 3 months and will also prevent grass seeds from growing. So you may need to choose between lawn seeding and weed control.

#3 Fertilize

The type of grass you have determines when and how you should fertilize. Cool-season grasses such as Fescue benefits from a light fertilizing or slow-release fertilizer product. Warm-season grasses, such as Zoysia and Centipede, do best when fertilized after the last spring frost, or when the lawn is already showing signs of green.

#4 Test Your Soil

Spring is the perfect time to measure the health of your soil. You can purchase your own soil test kit or hire a professional landscaper to do the job. This can tell you what your soil needs for optimal health. Your grasses and plants depend on the condition and acidity of your soil. If your soil pH is too low, you will have time to apply Lime to nourish your soil back to health before peak growing season.

#5 Sharpen Your Lawn Equipment or Hire a Professional

If you are planning on maintaining your lawn by yourself, now is the time to be sure your tools are in top condition. Sharpen your blades and fuel up your mower so that you can work efficiently. If you lack the time or know-how for lawn care, a professional service is always within reach.

Make the call to Pannone’s Lawn Pros & Landscaping and make sure your lawn is scheduled for proper care and maintenance this spring. We perform all types of landscaping services, from one-time yard cleanups and drainage solutions to seasonal planting and year-round maintenance.