When you begin spring lawn care tasks will depend upon the climate in your region.
Here’s a checklist of easy steps to get you off to a greener start.
Early spring raking is done primarily to removethatchthat is deeper than 1/2 inch.
The Spruce / David Karoki
What Is Thatch?
Thatch is the layer of dead turfgrass from the previous year.
Rake gently since turfgrasses are somewhat tender and vulnerable in the early spring.
The Spruce / David Karoki
Use a flexible leaf rake to gently break up deep thatch.
New grass may have difficulty penetrating these matted patches, and raking can solve the problem.
Compacted soil inhibits lawn growth.
The Spruce / David Karoki
But spring aeration can also encourage and stimulateweed growth, especiallycrabgrass.
Aerate around Memorial Day after the weeds have begun to grow but before they go to seed.
Purchase or rent a high-quality lawn aerator at a home improvement or hardware store.
The Spruce / David Karoki
Use a hand aerator for a small lawn.
Grass likes aneutral pHand soil that is too alkaline or tooacidiccan cause lawn problems.
The acidity or alkalinity of soil is measured by the pH scale, with 7 representing perfectly neutral soil.
The Spruce / David Karoki
Acidic soils have pH levels below 7, while alkaline soils measure higher than 7.
Amendments are used to nudge the pH back to an optimal level.
Overseed bare patches or over the entire lawn for thick, healthy growth.
The Spruce / David Karoki
Go light on the feeding because too much spring fertilizer can lead to disease andweed problems.
Apply Pre-Emergent Herbicides
Tackle weed prevention by applying herbicides.
Apply chemical herbicides by spot-spraying weedsbefore the first mowingrather than over-spraying the entire lawn.
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(You’ll need tofight crabgrasswith both herbicides to eradicate this weed.)
Avoid springtime core aeration and overseeding if you decide to use pre-emergent herbicides.
Pull otherspring and summer weedsthat emerge after dandelions, such as chickweed, white clover, and wild violets.
The Spruce / David Karoki
Service the Lawnmower
Start up your lawnmower.
A stubborn start-up is a sign that it needs atune-up.
Sharpen the mower blade to ensure the blade will sever, not tear, your grass.
Pixabay
Tearing results in blades with ragged brown tips.
You will be able to wait to water your lawn when the days become hotter and sunnier.
Depending on your key in of grass,mowing highwill keep your grass healthy.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Taller grass also chokes out weeds early on.
If you aerate and dethatch your lawn, look forgrubs to eliminate.
These pests are pale and white and feed on lawn roots in the spring.
The Spruce / Steven Merkel
Kill them with insecticides,neem oil, or milky spore powder.
Rake dead grass from dead spots when it’s a little warmer out, such as in mid-April.
Wait to rake until you see your grass becoming greener.
The Spruce / Almar Creative
Raking too early means you’ll miss some dead spots.
Most grass varieties can be cut to 3 to 4 inches tall.
If your grass is too short, it can receive more sunlight, which encourages more weed growth.
How Often Should You Water Your Lawn?Angi.
Spring Lawn Care: 15 Easy Steps to a Beautiful Yard.
