Lawn care season is fast approaching. Before it arrives, there are some simple steps you can take to prepare for lawn care season and set yourself up for success.
Clean Up
After the winter months, it is common to find debris scattered across the yard. Stray branches, dead leaves, rocks, lawn thatch, and twigs can make for a messy yard. Wet leaves can also be a problem if not cleared quickly in early spring. Wet leaves will cluster together and can smother your lawn, inhibiting growth. All of this debris can be cleared by raking and/or using an air blower. Because debris can easily get stuck in your lawn mower and cause damage, it is very important to completely clear your yard before getting started with lawn care.
Assess
Once your lawn is cleaned up, you will want to walk your lawn and assess the condition it is in. Winter can wreak havoc on a lawn, so examine your lawn carefully for damage or problem spots. Grass thinning can occur if objects are left outside during cold temperatures, snow and ice. As you walk your lawn, make note of problem areas in case you need to give those areas extra care, or call in professional help.
Tune up
Now that your yard is clean, clear of debris, and you are aware of problem areas, the next step is to tune up. Inspect your lawn mower and any tools you use for lawn care. You will want to start the season with a clean lawn mower, and check its engine to make sure it is running properly. Schedule maintenance early, if needed. It is also important to sharpen blades. Dull blades can tear the grass, cause uneven grass height, and cause lawn discoloration. It is a good idea to sharpen mower blades at least one time each month during lawn care season. Having a back up blade on hand can help ensure that you always have a sharp blade in your mower.
You can do simple tune up jobs, such as making sure you have a new spark plug and air filter each year. Buying fresh gas for your mower is important. Moisture can accumulate in gas that has been sitting for a long period over the winter. This moisture can harm your mower engine.
Weed and Feed
The next step is to focus on your lawn health. To do this, use a good quality fertilizer to feed your soil the nutrients it needs. You can also use pre-emergent weed control to prevent unwanted growth, such as crabgrass. Using this will prevent pesky weeds before they even start growing. It is important to note that fertilizing should not be done too early in the season. The best time for the first application is late spring, when grass is actively growing. In early spring, the root development of grass is taking form. If fertilizer is applied too early, leaf development will begin before the healthy root structure has had time to grow and settle in.
Get Professional Help When You Need it
For a great looking yard without hassle, call in a professional. Jack’s Lawn Care & Landscaping is here to tackle all of your lawn care problems, and to leave your yard lush, beautiful, and healthy. Our services include mowing, core aeration & overseeding, mulching, shrub trimming, property clean ups, and more.
