Landscaping

As the weather begins to consistently warm up in the springtime, it’s the perfect time to start thinking turf care. Spring turf care prepares your yard for the summer ahead by providing your grass with vital nutrients and a conducive environment to grow, resist weeds and diseases, and endure the summer heat. Want to have a luscious, healthy turf that’ll be the envy of your neighbors? Here are our top tips on how to achieve it!

1. Give it a thorough clean-up

You should begin your turf clean-up after the snow melts away and the soil dries up a bit to prevent soil compaction. Cleaning up involves removing any dead leaves, twigs, and debris that may have accumulated on your turf during the winter months. Rake in a back-and-forth motion until all the dead grass is removed. Be sure to remove any clumps of dirt or moss as well.

2. Mow your lawn

If you crave lush turf all summer, consider having the first mowing at the onset of spring once the soil is dry. Use a mower with sharp blades and wait until the grass is about 3 inches before cutting it. 

When mowing, stick to the rule of thumb of no cutting grass more than 1/3 of the blade. This is because grass stores much of its energy in the blade, so cutting too much of it will cause drying out and, in extreme cases, yellowing. Regular mowing helps your grass stay strong and prevents it from growing too long.

3. Aerate

The lawn soil is likely to get compacted from increased foot traffic or winter ice and snow, making it hard for water, oxygen, and nutrients to sip down to the grass roots. Aeration helps improve drainage and allows your grass to better absorb the nutrients it needs to thrive.

Aerating your turf involves poking holes in the ground to improve air and water flow. You can either do this using a hand aerator or hire a professional.

4. Fertilize your turf

Once your turf is clean and well aerated, the next thing you need to do is feed it with a healthy, balanced fertilizer. Fertilizing your turf in the spring gives it a boost of the nutrients it needs to grow strong and healthy.

A soil test is the best way to know the type of fertilizer you’ll use, depending on your turf’s nutrient needs. A soil test determines the nutrient composition, soil components, PH level, etc., ensuring you only add what the soil needs.

5. Keep weeds at bay

Weed control is also an important part of spring turf care. You can use various pre-emergent herbicides to keep annual weeds like dandelion and crabgrass at bay. Controlling weeds at the onset of springs prevents them from dominating your yard all summer. 

6. Overseed to repair bald patches

Although overseeding may sound like an unnecessary expense, it helps fill in any bare spots or brown patches left during winter. Overseeding also helps improve the overall health of your turf and combat weeds, especially if you use premium quality seeds.

You can use grass seeds similar to the existing ones or be creative with new species.

7. Don’t forget to water your turf

For a healthy, lush turf, practice proper watering. Watering helps prevent your grass from drying out and dying. It also promotes growth.

Overwatering your turf may cause the death of the grass, while underwatering may cause drying out. So, strive to strike a perfect water balance depending on the prevailing weather and soil type. For best results, water your turf early in the morning or late in the evening to protect your turf from excessive heat damage.

Contact Your Local Turf Care Experts

When it comes to preparing your turf for the warmer months ahead, these tips are sure to make you the envy of the neighborhood. Be sure to contact your local turf care experts to learn more about the benefits of professional turf care and how they can help you improve your curb appeal and identify problems early before they become bigger issues.