Spring Lawn Care: How To Maintain Your Lawn in Spring
Last Updated on July 18, 2024
Spring season is the wake-up call for all the lawn owners because it’s the growing period for grasses. You need to follow some simple and straightforward steps to help your lawn thrive and keep it safe from the wave of drought, diseases and weeds.
How to maintain your lawn in spring?
Use a rake: The first step is to remove all the dead leaves and grasses that are unable to survive winters. Why? Because these lingering debris will eventually turn into thatch, which is not a good sign for your lawn.
The rake will also loosen grass clumps formed by snow mould to help new growths. If you own a large lawn, a scarifier will be a better tool instead of a rake.
Seed the lawn: Break the soil using a garden fork, level it and throw some grass seeds. You can add nitrogen fertilizer and water them. Regular watering is required for the seeds to grow. You can re-apply the fertilizer after 5 weeks.
Deploy Lawnmower: Cut the grasses once they grow ½ inch higher than you need. Do not cut the grasses more than one-third of their overall length. Mowing at a low height will leave the grasses too short to prepare food for themselves. Plus, low profile grasses allow all the sunlight to reach the soil, which leads to weed germination.
So, how long the grasses should grow? Well, it depends upon the type of lawn grass and how you want to use the lawn. For instance, a family lawn that needs to withstand regular activities works better with 1 to 2 inches of grass. If you need a classic and attractive lawn, then keep the grasses within 2 cm.
Mulch the Lawn: Collect and dispose of the grass clippings in the initial days, because the weather will not favour decomposition. Afterwards, you should leave the grass cuts till the growing seasons are over. Grass cuttings can provide multiple nutrients to the existing plantation. So, it’s better to use natural fertilizers. Isn’t it?
Add Fertilizers: You can apply some spring fertilizers once the grasses start turning completely green, which generally happens after three weeks. Do not apply the tonic early because there is a risk of weed germination.
Do you Experience Drainage Problems During Spring Lawn Maintenance?
Drainage troubles are common if you own a lawn with heavy soil. So, you need to aerate the soil using a garden fork or aerator. Then, apply some useful organic materials to top the soil. Mix four parts sand, two parts of loam, and one part coir to create a top-dressing for heavy soil. For medium soil, the quantities should be 2: 4: 1. Keep the ratio 1: 4: 2. Use a broom or rake to spread the mixture at approximately 1.6 kg per sq. meter.
The top mixture will change the soil structure within a few days and you don’t have to deal with any drainage troubles. You can follow this process in the fall, but it can be done in the spring season as well. As an alternate, you can spread autumn leaves all over the lawn and mow them using a mulching mower. Repeat the same process a couple of times for better results.
Is Your Lawn Looking Worn Out or Thin?
If you notice blank spots on the lawn, then it needs some makeover. Overseeding is the best way to add new life to your lawn. It’s a simple process of spreading new leaves across your lawn. You should spread them with a density of 25 grams per sq. meter. New grasses will not only fill the gaps, but they will also reduce the generation of weeds and moss.
How to Get Rid of Weeds?
Create an environment that’s not favourable for the growth of moss. Plus, keep your lawn healthy.
Mow High: Lawn grasses should be long enough to prepare their food. Plus, tall grasses never allow much sunlight to reach the soil. So, none of the weeds generates.
Use Weed Killer: You can use a weed-killing product once every year. Such a product can kill most of the weeds, but they are toxic. So, you should not allow kids or pets to play in the garden until the chemicals are completely absorbed.
Deploy flame weeding tool: An effective way to get rid of the weeds, but you should be careful while using flames and do not burns the grasses or plants you need.
Final Talk
Continuous maintenance creates a hard-wearing garden that can withstand everyday usage without creating any blank patches. Plus, it makes your lawn a perfect place for weekend parties, BBQs and family get-together. If you dream of a green and healthy lawn that can attract everyone, then follow the given lawn care tips.
