The time has come for your lawn to dust off the tribulations of winter and awaken for the spring. That means that it’s time for you to prepare for a season of tender love and care. You can ensure that your yard looks immaculate by taking on a few chores to best defend it against weeds, disease, and potential lack of rain. Be sure to read below for spring lawn care steps. The first step that you want to take is to rake the yard.
Rake
You need to begin with this process to remove lingering fall leaves, pine cones and sticks, and any dead grass. Raking also helps loosen any grass clumps that have accumulated thanks to excessive rain. Clumps are notorious for killing new growth. Make sure to utilize a spring-tine rake to remove any dead grass. Additionally, do not rake when the ground is wet as you risk ripping up fresh grass crowns.
Overseed Warm-Weather Grass
Late spring is the best time to fill in bare or thin spots in your yard. When you do your first round of overseeding, apply a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer. Five weeks after, be sure to apply a quick-release nitrogen feed.
Weed
If you have a problem with crabgrass, spread pre-emergent herbicides to keep seeds that dropped this past summer from germinating. Keep in mind that timing is critical for this process. Read the product bag for the best timing. Additionally, use post-emergent broadleaf herbicides for perennial and winter annual weeds. You can also treat or dig up perennial weeds as they start appearing.
Fertilize
Apply grass fertilizer for spring around three weeks after your grass begins to green. If you apply fertilizer too soon, you risk feeding weeds and creating fertilizer runoff. Fertilizer that has been applied too soon will also trigger lush blade growth.
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Mow
You can begin to mow your yard when the ground is dry enough and the grass is long enough. Be sure to cut at the proper height for your type of grass. Never mow lower than necessary. Grass that is cut short allows sunlight to reach the soil, which encourages weed seeds to germinate.
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