We all know that April showers bring May flowers – unless you reside in the few parts of the country that were recently hit with snow. For the rest of us, that old saying means it’s the time of year when our thumbs are itching to get a little greener, and the smell of fresh mulch radiates from every flower bed you walk past.
But before you choose the flowers which will bloom all summer and give your yard a colorful, lively aesthetic, there’s a bigger fish to fry: Getting your lawn up to snuff. Nothing ruins the ambiance of a home quite like a brown lawn.
To make your yard the best looking one on the block, keep these maintenance tips in mind.
Don’t be impatient
Getting a jump start on aerating and mowing may be tempting, but tending to your lawn too early can result in killing new shoots or compacting the grass. Wait until your lawn has awoken after the long winter months before beginning treatment (when the majority of the lawn is a rich Kelly Green color).
When the time to mow does come, make sure you’re not cutting the grass too short. Setting your mower to the highest notch and letting your grass grow longer allows for stronger, more mature roots, which, in turn, makes for a healthier lawn. Also, longer grass provides additional shading, which results in the ground retaining more moisture and helps prevent the development of weeds.
Weed out what doesn’t belong
One of the most important aspects of lawn maintenance is to pull weeds – from the root, if possible – from your yard.
Additionally, mowing regularly helps cut off certain weeds, such as dandelions, before their seeds have the opportunity to scatter to other portions of your lawn.
Pick up where you left off
Raking leaves in the fall is a necessity that many people dislike. But if you thought the rake can remain hung up in the garage until October, think again.
By raking your lawn in the spring, you may rid your lawn of a layer of unwanted material that accumulated since the last time you treated it. You may also discover a hidden portion of your lawn that requires some extra TLC, such as compacted areas or dead patches.
Ensure the future of your lawn isn’t soiled
If you’re planting a whole new lawn, or just fixing problem areas, it’s important to test the pH balance of the soil. Winter can increase the acidity of your soil, creating a tougher environment for grass to survive and flourish.
If you find your lawn has a high acid level that will create a hostile environment for grass to grow, you can neutralize your lawn by scattering dolomitic lime – which can be bought at hardware stores – on top of it.
Don’t leave your lawn gasping for air
If your lawn does have patches that are compacted, it’s important to aerate it by digging small holes in your lawn to provide oxygen and other nutrients to the roots of the grass.
Basic necessities
When tasked with keeping a living thing alive, two basic necessities come to mind: food and water. Your lawn is no different.
If you’ve got a freshly seeded lawn, you’ll need to water it each day for no more than five to 10 minutes until the grass grows to a height of a half an inch. Once the grass reaches said height, increase the watering time to 15 to 20 minutes. These short time frames will ensure you don’t drench your lawn, which could wash seeds away.
If you’re treating an already healthy lawn, water it once a week for a longer period of time. A prolonged watering allows the roots of the grass to deepen into the soil, which can help strengthen your lawn, prevent the formation of thatch and deter certain types of pests.
As far as feeding your lawn, you should fertilize it at least twice a year (in the fall and spring). But before buying just any fertilizer, speak to an expert about which kind contains all the nutrients your lawn needs. Different types of grass may require specific kinds of treatments.
Know your grass to keep it looking healthy
As mentioned above, varying types of grass require different means of treatment. The region in which you reside also plays a big part in lawn maintenance, as climate can affect the moisture level of your soil.
Knowing your lawn from root to tip can help you create a treatment plan to get your yard summer-ready.
Shannon Ireland writes for Quotes.Safeco.com and HomeInsurance.com, an online resource for homeowners and drivers across the country. Offering comparative automobile and home insurance quotes, consumers rely on HomeInsurance.com for the most competitive rates from the top-rated insurance carriers in the country. The HomeInsurance.com blog provides fresh tips and advice on a range of financial topics to help homeowners and homebuyers make educated decisions about their insurance purchases.
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