Looking out the window in the middle of winter may have you dreaming wistfully about lazy summer afternoons spent outdoors, admiring or playing on a lush, green lawn. If you’re wondering when is the right time for springtime lawn care in New Boston and Grosse Ile, MI, read on to find out!
As Soon As the Ground Has Thawed
As soon as the ground has thawed, it’s time for annual soil testing. This is one of those tasks that are often neglected but think about it: if you’re going to be spending money on fertilizer, you want to be sure that you’re not actually stressing a lawn with too much of a nutrient that is already present in the soil. Soil testing is the only way to accurately determine whether your soil can support healthy turf growth. This sets the stage for successfully boosting your soil’s nutrient levels without creating imbalances that can harm plant life.
Another task that should be done in early spring is dethatching if your lawn has built up a thick layer of thatch (dead grass leaves still attached at the base of each plant). Just like a thatch roof, this layer will prevent water, air, and nutrients from reaching the roots.
Any areas of your lawn that have been trampled by foot traffic, or areas that are exposed to full sunlight, should also be aerated to loosen the soil and again, allow water, air, and nutrients to reach the roots.
Overseed any bare or thin areas of lawn. Overseeding ensures that hungry birds or rodents won’t eat all of the grass seed. Be sure to rake the seeds into the ground to give the seeds a chance to germinate.
All newly seeded areas will need to be watered deeply and consistently until the roots have taken hold.
Just Before the First Growth Spurt
In late winter and early spring, you’ll notice a few shoots of new grass growth starting to poke out of the ground. This signals the beginning of the growing season. Support this growth with a slow-release fertilizer. Be sure to use a fertilizer with the correct nutrient balance based on soil test results.
If you will also be applying weed killer at the same time with a “weed and feed” formula, be sure to use one that is appropriate for your needs: newly seeded lawns will have different needs than mature lawns.
An early-season application of pre-emergent herbicide will help prevent weeds from germinating.
Be sure to water your lawn thoroughly after application of fertilizer, to allow the nutrients to seep into the ground where they can be absorbed by the root system. Never allow fertilizer to remain on the leaves because it can cause chemical burns.
Throughout Early Spring
Once your lawn is ready for mowing, be sure your lawnmower blades are sharp to avoid tearing at the grass (which can invite disease); and mow to a height of around 3” to ensure that enough of the plant is left to perform photosynthesis and that the grass is neither too short (which will lead to excess water evaporation) or too tall (which can invite mold and mildew growth).
As you can see, the process of getting your lawn into top shape for summer fun takes a bit of planning and work, and of course consistency in watering and mowing. Setting up a lawn care contract now can ensure that the work is done thoroughly by professionals, to free up your time for other landscaping projects.
