Now that Spring is here, it’s time to start thinking about your lawn! Below we’ve got some lawn tips for you to consider this season, and some information on our Premier Lawn Fertilization and Weed Control Program.
Apply Crabgrass Preventer
Apply crabgrass preventer through mid-April. The best time to do this is before it rains, so the preventer soaks into the soil and prevents the crabgrass seeds from growing roots and germinating. If there’s no rain in the forecast, apply the preventer and then soak the soil with water.
Mow at the Right Height
When you start mowing this Spring, don’t remove more than one-third of the leaf blade height. This is because the longer the blade, the more shade there is for the blade, keeping it cooler, allowing it to not dry out as quickly as if there were a shorter blade. Four inches is probably about the right height. Special considerations would be bluegrass or tall fescue, which needs mowed to 3 inches.
Sharpen Blades
Sharpening your mower’s blade often gives you a more even cut that leaves your lawn looking healthy. Every 6 to 10 mowings you should consider sharpening the blades, or every 20 to 25 hours of use time. You’ll know when you need to sharpen your blades because the tips of your grass will become brown and ragged. This is due to your grass being less able to store water and nutrients, making it more likely for disease.
Don’t Bag It
Let your grass clippings fall into the grass and don’t catch it to dispose of elsewhere. Leaving your clippings on the lawn allows them to decompose, releasing water and nutrients back into your lawn’s soil. This will help your grass be healthier, and look greener and thicker.
When to Water
Watering in the morning is the best time, so that the plant has some humidity throughout the sunny day. More mature plants don’t need as much water, but need a larger amount when they are watered. This is so the roots can thrive deep in the ground. It’s not recommended to water plants at night because the moisture then could develop fungal problems for your plants.
