April 13, 2017
5 Tips for Preparing Your Lawn for Spring
Spring is one of the most important times to perform lawn maintenance – especially in the Duluth, Minn., area, where winters can be less than forgiving. With these five spring lawn care maintenance tips, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a beautiful lawn from the first rays of summer to the last.
1. Remove leaves and debris.
Raking your lawn to remove leaves and debris that have accumulated over the winter will encourage better airflow throughout the grass. It will also help prevent disease and insect infestations and allow new grass blades to grow easier.
2. Reseed bare patches.
Winter can wreak havoc on your lawn’s exposed patches, so it’s important to give these areas a little TLC come spring. First, loosen the soil to a depth of 2 to 4 inches. Add topsoil, if necessary. Next, spread grass seed and compost over the bare spots and tamp the surface of the soil with the flat end of the rake. Water, as needed. Note that if you’re planning a spring pre-emergent treatment, do not treat your seeded areas, as it will kill the seed.
3. Apply pre-emergent crabgrass control treatment.
Timing is important for controlling unsightly crabgrass from taking over your yard. Crabgrass treatment must be applied in early spring, before soil temperatures reach 55 to 60 degrees. In the Duluth/Superior area, this is typically early May. You want to catch crabgrass seeds before they begin to germinate, at which point pre-emergent treatment is no longer effective. At Guardian, we provide early and targeted crabgrass herbicide application and recommend appropriate follow-up care to ensure your lawn stays crabgrass free.
4. Aerate your lawn.
Guardian provides lawn aeration services using a core aerator, which pulls approximately 3-inch plugs from the lawn. Aerating your lawn allows water, air and fertilizer to reach the grass roots faster, helping support new growth and root development.
5. Sharpen your lawn mower blade.
This is something you should do every year, prior to the first cutting. A dull blade does not cut the grass; instead, it tears the grass, leaving the tips of the grass yellow and susceptible to disease.
Do you have questions about or need help preparing your yard for spring? Contact us to jumpstart a healthy, happy lawn.
