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Outdoor chores are looming large as winter draws to a close. Soon
the drone of lawnmowers will fill the air, as homeowners "start their
engines" for another season of lawn maintenance. Get started now
to achieve a thick, healthy carpet of turf that will resist weeds, pests
and diseases.
Mowing.
Start mowing as soon as grass begins active growth.
Adjust your mower's height to maintain a length of 2-3 inches.
Although you may prefer the appearance of a close-cropped lawn,
keeping the grass shorter than that is not worth the mowing. On
a sunny lawn, short grass allows sunlight to penetrate to the
soil and encourages weeds to germinate. And in the summer,
shorter blades hinder the grass plants' ability to disperse heat.
Maintain 3 inches of height on a sunny lawn to make the turf less
susceptible to weeds and drought.
Weeding.
Take a walk around the yard and inspect your lawn for
bare or weedy patches. It's important to control weeds now
before they get established. Fortunately, most broad-leafed
weeds are easily controlled by lawn herbicides. Make sure to
properly identify the invader--take a sample to the local nursery
if you're not sure--and treat with the appropriate product.
Follow all label directions carefully to avoid exposing yourself
or the environment to unnecessary risk. Don't fall into the
"more-is-better" misconception--apply only in the amount
specified by the label. Wait for a calm day so you won't
overspray nearby plants or shrubs. And pay attention to the
forecast because most herbicides should not be applied when
there's rain on the way. After treating, reseed any bare patches
but be sure to choose the same grass variety so you don't get a
patchwork lawn.
Feeding.
The care and feeding of your lawn depends on its
soil and chemical composition. Too much fertilization will release nutrients
into water bodies and is not good for the environment. And the
faster a lawn grows, the more time it takes to maintain. On the
other hand, nutrients that have been depleted over a season of
mowing need to be replaced. You don't want your turf to be pale,
thin and sparse. That's an invitation for weeds or diseases to
come back. One way to supply more nutrients is by using a
mulching mower that dices the grass blades in a fine mulch. If
you have a non-mulching mower, take off the bagger and mow often
enough so you're leaving shorter clippings that won't form a
thatch. On healthier lawns, a milder fertilizer with lower
nitrogen content may be sufficient, such as Milorganite.
Soil testing is the most accurate way to determine your
lawn's nutrient needs. Fertilize in the spring and fall.
Need Professional Lawn Care Help?
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