With the end of the dormant season, spring is a crucial time to give your garden some TLC and prepare it for the growing season ahead! Spring into action early to get the most out of your hard work and enjoy a beautiful yard come summer.
Cleaning Up Debris
Raking and removing dead leaves, twigs, and matted grass is
an essential first step to a healthy, vibrant yard. This layer of debris is
known as thatch, and when allowed to build up for too long, smothers and
inhibits the growth of the grass beneath it. In addition to preventing dead
grass patches, thatch removal will greatly improve the effectiveness of any
future lawn treatments. Keep in mind that raking should always be done while the
ground is dry to prevent damage to grass!
Dead Grass & Weeds
Once debris has been removed, survey your lawn for any
patchy areas of grass. Spring is a great time to aerate your lawn, helping to
break up the soil and allow more air, water, and nutrients to seep in. Now is the
time to start a new lawn if necessary or overseed an established one by
spreading new grass seed where your old grass is unhealthy or dead. If you will
be applying an herbicide to control crabgrass or weeds, it is better to hold
off hold off on overseeding until the Fall.
Get a jump on those pesky weeds early on to prevent them from becoming a
stubborn issue in the future. Make sure to research and purchase the right herbicide for your lawn. Applying Weed & Feed once in the spring and once in the fall can also help keep pesky weeds at bay while improving your lawns health. Mow your lawn a few days before to help ensure even distribution and water your lawn beforehand. This will help prevent the product from getting blown away in a breeze and not absorbing into the soil.
Lawn Maintenance
Avoid cutting grass shorter than around 2” tall, any shorter can cause damage to the crowns of
the grass and unnecessary stress on your lawn. Longer blades will encourage longer and healthier roots, and discourage weed growth. Assess and perform any maintenance on your mower at the beginning of the growing season, such as changing the oil or spark plugs, removing and replacing any gas left in the tank from the previous year, and making sure the blades are sharp.
For lush green grass, water your lawn early and consistently, before 10 a.m. to minimize evaporation. Selecting the right garden hose and sprinkler is vital to maximizing your time and water supply. Grass needs about an inch of water per week. If your grass blades bounce back slowly when stepped on, are curled, or dull in color, it is time to give it a water. It is important to water your lawn before adding fertilizer to avoid burning the roots. A spreader will distribute the fertilizer more evenly and effectively.
Pruning
Most trees and shrubs benefit from occasional pruning but
knowing when and what to remove can be tricky. While dead and diseased branches
should be removed as you find them, healthy branches require extra care and
proper timing depending on the plant. Flowering trees and shrubs are divided
into two categories – those that flower on “old wood” versus those that flower
on “new wood”. Take the time to learn about your flowering trees and shrubs
before pruning them. When you're ready to prune, keep in mind the 45 degree rule and cut branches at an angle to promote proper healing!
Shop everything you need for a successful growing season in our Lawn & Garden Section today!
