Care Guide for Lawn
For lawn maintenance, spring may be a hectic time. The earth is thawing from the winter freeze, plants are just sprouting after the winter cold and can be vulnerable and delicate, and the weather is highly unpredictable. Early season preparation can help guarantee a lush, green lawn for the remainder of the year. Check out this detailed lawn care advice to help you prepare your grass for spring.
Mowing
Denser grass makes a healthy lawn more resistant to weeds. Only take about 1/3 inch of the top of the grass off when you mow. Set the height of your mower deck so the grass is between 2-1/2″ and 3″ tall. Taller grass aids in blocking the sunlight from weed seeds, preventing their germination. Mow at an angle of 45 to 90 degrees from your last pass to try and change up your pattern of cutting. This promotes upright grass growth and prevents soil impaction. Keep the blades on your mower sharp as well.
Aerate
Check your grass to see if it needs aeration. Examine the roots in a one-square-foot area of your grass that has been dug up. Your lawn has to be aerated if the roots aren’t 2 inches or deeper. Before aerating, be careful to hydrate the lawn for one to two days—one time over the lawn with a core aerator. Apply compost or sand to the lawn after the aeration process.
Overseeding and Reseed
Before applying any seed, check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to make sure what seed works best for your lawn. In early spring or fall, overseed with a cool season grass (rye, fescue, Kentucky bluegrass) and overseed with a warm season grass (bermuda or zoysia) early in the summer. To get an even application to apply the seed with a broadcast seeder. Water the seed to help it grow.
Fertilize and Water
Watering gives grass the right amount of moisture, particularly in hot or dry weather. Watering in the morning when the air is cooler will cause less evaporation if at all possible. The best time to fertilize warm-season grasses is in the spring when the lawn is actively growing (approximately 6 weeks after the last frost). Fall fertilization is beneficial for cool-season grasses.
Need a reliable lawn care service? If you are in West Babylon, NY, you can always count on HJR Landscaping Inc to help you. For inquiries and information, do not hesitate to contact us at (631) 257-0627 today.