Planning on having a cookout or a party to show off your spring lawn? Naturally, all the hard work you have put into your lawn (and with our help, of course!) has given you a bright, vibrant beautiful lawn that you will want to show off to your friends.
If you're typically the neighborhood cookout host, you can expect a lot of foot traffic. Guests may be walking across the lawn to grab food, drinks, or run around playing with the kids. Games of catch, Frisbee, or football, may certainly be in the works as well. Being outside is what spring is all about, so you certainly do not want to limit you or your guests from enjoying their time.
6 Steps to Prepare Your Lawn for Spring
The kids will soon be playing games of chase and running after the neighborhood ice cream truck man. Of course you will have one of the most gorgeous lawns out of anyone on the block, and you will want to show that off during the first few months of spring.
Before you fire up the grill, though, we at at Perm-O-Green recommend that you take a few steps to strengthen your lawn before your guests come over.
1. Rake Your Lawn
To prevent thatch from forming, it's a good idea to remove the grass blades that have died over the winter. Consider it a spring cleaning of your lawn. In the early spring, however, turfgrasses are somewhat tender and vulnerable, so you should wait until the lawn starts growing green, which indicates that the roots are firmly anchored and that the plants are actively growing. It's better to use a flexible leaf rake rather than a stiff metal garden rake with metal tines that can damage young plants, though you need to rake vigorously.
2. Aerate Your Soil
The soil can become compacted if your lawn gets a lot of foot traffic, such as running and playing. If you see moss, which grows in compacted soil, you can remove it, but you need to look deeper into its causes. Usually, it's compacted soil that needs aeration in these cases.
3. Assess the Soil
An acidic soil can also be indicated by moss on the ground. The pH scale measures the acidity or alkalinity of soil, with 7 representing perfectly neutral soil. Alkaline soils have pH levels above 7, while acidic soils measure below 7.
4. Overseeding is Necessary
An application of grass seed may be necessary to fill in bare patches caused by dog spots, heavy traffic, or neglect on a lawn. This is done by overseeding. During overseeding, apply a nitrogen fertilizer that releases slowly. Until the new seed sprouts and begins to grow, keep it moist. When the grass has sprouted and germinated for five weeks, you can apply nitrogen fertilizer using a normal fertilization regimen.
5. Fertilize Your Lawn
To fertilize lawns organically, topdress them with compost or use a mulching mower to chop lawn clippings into a nutrient-rich source of nitrogen. A widely accepted schedule for fertilizing lawns that includes a spring feeding is available from Scotts Miracle-Gro Company for those who prefer the faster-acting effects of a chemical fertilizer. By contrast, many experts recommend a lighter spring feeding and a heavier fall one for cool-season grasses. A large amount of fertilizer in spring can lead to weeds and disease. Also, if you fertilized late in the fall, your lawn will continue to benefit from the fertilizer in spring.
6. Service Your Lawn Mower
It's springtime, so it's time to take the lawn mower out for a test run. Try starting it up again; stubborn starts mean it needs a tune-up. Have it tuned once a year. Consider replacing your lawnmower if it requires more than a tune-up.
Furthermore, you can spruce up the overall look of your entire yard by adding slight decorations. If you have a porch, mend any broken railings or creaky floors so that it will be as inviting as possible. In many homes, the porch tends to be a popular gathering spot. Entertaining your guests on the porch can also help reduce the foot traffic on your lawn.
Enjoy your spring more by calling Perm-O-Green!
Since 1973, Perm-O-Green has been serving communities all throughout the state of Texas by helping countless achieve healthier, greener lawns, all year long. We also offer pest control services, tree and shrub care, and give advice for drought relief.
To speak with a member of our team or learn about the specials we offer, do not hesitate to contact Perm-O-Green today!
