5 steps to a healthy spring lawn (BPT) – After a long winter, it’s finally time to enjoy the outdoors again. For a healthy yard all season, it’s important to do a little “spring cleaning” now for a lush, green lawn. If the work seems overwhelming, projects can be accomplished over several weekends. Here are six simple projects to help achieve a beautiful lawn this season.
like foot traffic from children or pets playing in the yard. If the soil appears compacted or the grass is growing poorly, it’s a good idea to aerate the lawn in the spring or plan to aerate in the fall.
type. Cool-season grasses most commonly found in the Northern U.S. should be seeded early or mid-spring. Warm-season grasses found predominately in the South should be seeded in late spring or early summer. 3. Feed (If a crabgrass preventer A spring feeding sets or weed control product the stage for a healthier, was recently applied or greener lawn all season. is going to be applied In the Northern U.S., to the lawn, check the spring is a great time to product label for seeding prevent crabgrass and restrictions.) 1. Rake kill broadleaf weeds like Bare spots, like those dandelion. If you’re not Lawn and garden caused by weed dieback, planning spring seeding experts recommend snow mold or dog spots projects, tackle three giving the yard a good should be fixed using things at once with Scotts a patching product like raking after green starts Turf Builder Triple Acto show. Raking helps Scotts EZ Seed Patch & separate matted patches tion. It not only feeds to Repair Sun and Shade of grass caused by snow strengthen the lawn, but which combines grass also kills dandelion, clover seed, fertilizer and a wamold (if snow is typical for the local climate) and and other weeds while ter absorbent mulch into preventing crabgrass will remove debris and an easy-to-apply product. dead grass blades to help for four months. For If the lawn is thin overhomeowners living in the prevent excess thatch South, Scotts Turf Builder from developing. Southern Triple Action is Raking the whole lawn presents opportuni- an innovative 3-in-1 forties to spot problem areas mula specially designed to prevent and kill fire and remove debris such ants for up to six months, as pet waste and fallen kill stubborn lawn weeds branches. and feed southern grass2. Give the lawn a es like St. Augustine and “checkup” centipede grass. Look for signs of com4. Seed pacted soil, such as moss Come springtime, growth, water pooling in the lawn may have bare low areas or bare spots in the lawn. Compaction patches or thin areas that can be caused over time need fixing. The best time to spread grass seed by activities in the lawn depends on the grass
all, use an overseeding product like Scotts Turf Builder Thick’R Lawn Sun & Shade which combines grass seed, fertilizer and a soil improver to help turn weak, thin grass into a thick, green lawn. Newly seeded areas should be watered daily until grass reaches mowing height (two to three inches).
watering in the evening leaves moisture sitting on the grass, which promotes fungus and other diseases. Water long enough for moisture to reach six to eight inches into the soil where the grass roots grow. For new grass or newly seeded areas, water daily using an oscillating sprinkler, as pulsating sprinklers wash away seeds before grass can grow.
5. Water carefully Rains are usually plentiful in the spring, but if 6. Mow high the lawn has taken on a grayish cast, or footprints Before the first mow don’t disappear quickly of the season, sharpen because grass blades the mower blade to avoid don’t spring back, it may damaging grass. Don’t be time to water. Watering before 10 a.m. allows the water to soak into the soil and be absorbed by grass roots. Watering midday causes water to evaporate quickly, and
cut grass too short, as it increases risks for weed infestation and diseases. Taller grass is also more drought resistant, because roots grow deeper and absorb moisture. Don’t mow grass while wet - this can clog the mower and leave clumps of grass behind. To avoid compacting the soil, change up the mowing direction and patterns each time. A little lawn maintenance in spring will make it easier to enjoy a beautiful green yard all season. For more useful lawn care tips, visit scotts.com.