Now that it is officially spring in Minnesota, we can finally put away our snow blowers and take out the lawnmowers! Whether your yard is in need of a major overhaul or it is looking healthy and vibrant from all the prep work you did in the fall, many homeowners will still need to put a little work into their lawns this spring. To get your yard in shape for spring, take a look at our five tips for preparing your yard this season.
Start Fresh
It’s nearly impossible to take care of your yard without starting with a clean slate. To begin, remove all the debris covering the yard. This can include dead leaves and plants, weeds, trash, and pet waste. Trim any shrubs and trees of dead and dislodged branches, and rake your lawn. When your yard has excess thatch, it can suffocate your grass and make it difficult for water and nutrients to penetrate to the roots.
Care for Your Gutters
Spring is the perfect time to completely clear out the gutters and waterspouts, but take note to clear them regularly of obstructions throughout the year. Now would be a good time to clean your compost and rainwater bins if you have them as well. Make sure your water spouts are well-placed. Directed them away from your house and towards your lawn.
Address Your Soil
If your yard gets plenty of use, take the time to address bare areas as soon as you can; many treatments take a while to work effectively. Determine what has caused the bare spots in order to properly address the problem. If there is high acidity in your soil, then consider adding lime to your yard. If there are bare patches due to foot traffic or neglect, apply grass seed. Learn more about applying grass seed (a process also known as overseeding) to your lawn here.
If your yard suffers from more than a few bare patches, consider hydroseeding. Hydroseeding – or hydromulching – is a quick, lasting way to cover large bare areas of your yard and promote healthy growth. Learn more in one of our older blogs.
Fertilize Your Yard
Spring is a great time to lightly fertilize your yard. Too much fertilizer can result in disease and excessive weed growth. To organically fertilize your yard, you can use compost and mulch. If you prefer the help of a professional, contact Land Concepts to create a customized plan for your yard.
To be responsible with chemical fertilizers, take care to keep those products out of your runoff. For commercially bought chemical fertilizers, follow directions when applying the product and disposing of containers. Prevent product spillage from leaking on your sidewalks and driveways by containing the product to your yard.
Determine a Long-Term Plan
Having a long-term care plan in place can help your lawn flourish all season long. Whether you self-treat or have the help of a professional lawn maintenance company, take caution to follow the steps all the way through the process. Mow your yard often to keep it in tip-top shape.
Did you know that the mowing height and how often you mow can have a direct impact on the health of your lawn? Determining these factors can help your grass retain nutrients, control weed growth, and better protect your soil system. While lawns vary from one to another, a good rule of thumb is to mow your grass with your lawnmower blades set to remove only the top third of grass blades.
Creating a healthy spring yard that will last throughout the summer is no easy feat. The biggest hurdle is identifying your exact problems and addressing them correctly. For more assistance on landscaping and lawn maintenance, visit Land Concepts Inc. for all your lawn care needs.
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