The Springtime lawn care is the Spring season, which is also called springtime comes
after Winter, which starts on March 20, 2021, and ends on June 21, 2021.
Springtime symbolizes the start of something new, the start of new beginnings,
progress, blossoming of new things, birth, new life, and business. Dreaming
of Spring implies a feeling of pleasure in life. It is the
time of the year when the sun warmly shines, the gentle wind is cool, the joy of gardening, and the
constant humming of lawnmowers coming to life once again.
Homeowners around the world take great joy in their lawns,
spending hefty amounts a year on lawn care. Around this time, homeowners buy
herbicides, fertilizers, seeds, and lawn equipment in the likes of string
trimmers, lawnmowers, soil knife, and many more. According to the Professional Lawn Care Association of America, in the USA alone, homeowners spent at least
$6.4 a year on lawn care. This huge spending is just to create their ideal lawn
that feels cool between the toes.
So, here’s our basic but best Springtime lawn care
tips for you. The tips below are in no particular order, so manage it
as you wish.
Mowing the Lawn -
The frequency and height of mowing your lawn are important
to the health of the grass. Mow the grass only when it reaches 3 or 4 inches
(7.6 to 10 cm) in height but do not try to trim off more than half an inch (1
cm), so doing could stress the plant. Cutting the grass short may reduce the
number of times mowing, but it would be harmful to the lawn in the long run.
Why? Its because when mowing on low blade height with respect to the ground,
nutrients stored in the leaves of the plants are removed. It also exposes the
soil to direct sunlight, letting unwanted weeds grow rapidly and easily. Also,
tall grass can compete with weeds better because it has already a larger root
system and has higher heat tolerance. Additionally, it also shades the ground,
allowing the soil to retain water more efficiently and effectively. Lastly,
avoid bagging grass clippings for this is an added organic matter that is quite
good for the soil.
Fixing and Cleaning the Lawn -
Even how good your lawn is maintained; winter seasons will
wreck it and most problem areas crop up in springtime lawn care. These areas should be
taken care of as quickly as possible because they can stress your lawn thereby
making it more susceptible to weeds and disease. Also, soil compaction is an
issue particularly in high traffic areas of the lawn. Mainly, this arises when
the soil is becoming densely crammed, making it hard for the grass to take root
and letting tougher weeds take over. Compacted soil should be loosened with an
aerator designed to remove small plugs of soil from the lawn.
Another issue is the uneven ground. The high point of the
ground often gets scalped by the mower while the low point causes poor drainage
conditions. Surface creeping types of weeds and grasses prosper under poor
drainage conditions forcing out the planted grasses. Poor drainage is normally
very sour with a low ph. So, take a garden spade, and cut out the areas that
are raised up, and fill up areas that are low.
Additionally, a problem with thatch can still happen even in
properly maintained lawns. Thatch is a tangled of above-ground roots common in
thick, spreading grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia. When it appears in your lawn,
watering is tricky and is difficult for nutrients to reach the soil. Raking it
with a specifically made rake or with a mechanized lawn scarifier for bigger
lawns can take the jobs done.
Grass Planting -
When your springtime lawn care is done and ready, you can now choose and buy the seeds to spread on your lawn. However, choose the seeds varieties that will work best with the amount of sunlight in your lawn and in what region you are in the country. But remember, seed coverage is highly recommended in pounds per square foot of ground. Once planted, watering regularly is needed to maintain soil moisture and then fertilize it with a slow-release, low-nitrogen product.
Fertilizing the Grass -
Once the grass looks firmly established, you can tend its
growth and prevent weeds to thrive by applying a combination of fertilizers and
herbicides.
Fertilizing the grass could help the lawn grow lush and thick
with greens, but improperly using it could harm and destroy the grass. However,
fertilizer should not be applied too early or late as prolonged cold or early
heat can stress the grass. It should be applied early in the season when the
turf begins to actively be growing. Though, the timing varies among regions.
A fertilizer with slow-release nitrogen is highly
recommended, and just a pound or no more than 0.45 kg. of nitrogen must be
spread-applied per 1,000 sq. ft (approximately 92.903 sq. m). Also, check the
packaging to see when and how much you should water after applying the
fertilizer.
Another thing, when applying herbicides, used it with care
for its effectiveness often depends on when it is used. You must, determine how
widespread the weeds infestation is. It is especially important to apply preemergent
herbicides to the lawn before the seeds germinate in the spring. However, and
always be mindful not to use this treatment if you are seeding new grass as
herbicides will also prevent those seeds from germinating. Additionally, spot
treating with a non-selective herbicide should be enough.
Conclusion
As your beloved lawn’s hibernation reacts to nature's springtime wake-up call, you can help it to prepare for a year of healthy growth with the lawn care it needs to help it flourish. By tackling head-on your springtime lawn care with a couple of simple tasks, you can prepare the lawn to defend itself against a year's surge of weeds, diseases, and drought.
Ultimately, the best way to discourage weeds is to have a
thick, healthy lawn.
