HOW TO CARE FOR A LAWN IN SPRING
The weather is warming up, and the grass is turning green.
Spring is a great time to get outside, yet it’s also crucial for your lawn and how it develops over the coming months.
SPRINGTIME LAWN CARE ‘TO DO’ LIST
If you want your lawn to look its best this spring, here are a few tips to follow:
- Rake up any dead leaves or other debris accumulated over the winter months. This ensures that your grass gets the sunlight it needs to grow.
- Apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent crabgrass and other weeds from taking over your lawn.
- Fertilise your lawn using a slow-release fertiliser designed for use in the spring.
- Water your lawn deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth.
- Mow your lawn regularly to keep your grass healthy.
CAN I SCARIFY MY LAWN IN THE SPRING?
This process helps to remove dead grass and thatch from the lawn, allowing new growth to come in more easily.
It is vital to scarify before applying herbicides or fertilisers so that these products can be more effective.
SHOULD I RAKE MY LAWN?
Raking your lawn in early spring helps remove any dead leaves or debris accumulated over the winter months.
Raking also helps ensure that your grass gets the sunlight it needs to grow.
WHEN TO FEED THE LAWN
It’s important to fertilise your lawn in the springtime using a slow-release fertiliser designed for use in the spring. This will help ensure that your grass gets the nutrients it needs to grow and stay healthy.
You should apply the fertiliser before any herbicides or pesticides so that these products can be more effective.
OVERSEEDING
Spring is the best time to fix any thin or sparse patches on your lawn. If you have areas that need attention this coming winter, we recommend raking in some turf and topsoil for a new seedbed before planting seeds out early in April when weather permits.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I WATER MY LAWN?
It’s important to water your lawn deeply and infrequently in the springtime. It encourages deep root growth, which is essential for a healthy lawn.
Watering too frequently will cause the roots to grow shallow, making the lawn more susceptible to drought and disease.
HOW TO THICKEN MY GRASS
If you want to thicken your grass in spring, here are a few tips to follow:
1. Aerate your lawn – This process helps to loosen up the soil and allow oxygen, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of the grass.
2. Overseed lawn – This means spreading grass seed over the existing turf to help fill any bare spots.
3. Fertilize – Use a fertilizer designed for use in the springtime to help encourage growth.
4. Water deeply and infrequently – Deep watering encourages deep root growth, which is essential for a healthy lawn.
WHEN IS IT BEST TO WEED LAWN
The best time to weed your lawn is in the springtime before the weeds and moss have a chance to take over. Applying a pre-emergent herbicide can help prevent weeds from taking root.
Hand-pulling small weeds is also an effective way to keep them from spreading. Be sure to dispose of any lawn weeds so they don’t spread their seeds and continue growing.
WHEN SHOULD I MOW MY LAWN?
You should regularly mow your lawn using a lawn mower (which has a sharp, high blade) in the springtime. This helps to keep the grass healthy and looking its best. Mowing too short can damage the grass, so follow the recommended height for your particular type of grass.
HOW DO I CONTROL MOSS IN MY LAWN?
Moss can be a problem in shady, damp areas of your lawn. To control moss, rake it out by hand or with a thatching rake. You can also apply a moss killer to the affected area. Be sure to follow the instructions on the product label carefully.
DEALING WITH PESTS
Suppose you notice your lawn growing slowly, turning yellowy brown, or showing bare patches. This could be due to lawn pests; the most common are Leatherjackets and Chafer grubs.
The adults of both these pests lay their eggs in late summer/autumn, the larvae then hatch and overwinter in the soil before pupating in spring.
If you think your lawn may be affected by any of these pests, there are a few things you can do:
- Aerate your lawn to allow oxygen, water and nutrients to reach the roots of the grass
- Over-seed your lawn to help fill in any bare spots
- Use a fertiliser designed for use in the springtime to encourage growth
- Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth
- Hand-pull small weeds so that they don’t have a chance to spread their seeds
Please bear in mind that you should consult a professional if you have a serious problem with pests.
