Green, healthy lawns begin with the right spring treatment, and many homeowners make mistakes that unknowingly cause weak, weedy grass, requiring costly repairs. In this article, we’ll learn from and avoid common spring lawn care mistakes, so you can start the season strong with your yard.
5 Spring Lawn Care Mistakes to Avoid for a Lush Green Yard
The following are some spring lawn care mistakes to avoid:
Mistake 1: Raking Too Aggressively
Many homeowners are fond of tearing out healthy grass along with thatch, further destroying new growth before it has a chance to establish. By being gentle with a leaf rake, not a steel thatch rake, you can easily remove dead grass. Also, only remove dead grass if thatch exceeds ½ in thickness.
Mistake #2: Mowing Too Short and Too Soon
The desire to maintain a well-lawned exterior should not outweigh the need to maintain a healthy lawn. Many homeowners scalp their grass, which can cause diseases. This also makes their roots shorter and less resilient to droughts. Instead, you can set your mower for 3-4 inches (this works for most grass types.) You should never cut above one-third of the length of the blade.
Mistake #3: Too Much Early Season Watering
Take a cut with the watering, as you may be killing your grass. Excessive watering may contribute to shallow rooting and also give room for foul patches caused by brown disease and many fungal pathogens. You can fix this by watering the soil when it is 2 inches dry. Deep, infrequent watering is also much better than daily sprinklers.
Mistake #4: Applying Fertilizer Too Early
Fertilizing your grass with waste nutrients even before it greens up can damage its health. To properly fertilize the grass, wait until the temperature reaches 55°F and apply slow-release balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 or 20-5-10).
Mistake #5: Not Caring for Soil Health
Many homeowners neglect their soil’s health, and this is responsible for the nutrient-poor, compacted soil that yields thin, struggling grasses. By aerating the soil, performing regular pH readings (ensuring it is between 6.0 and 7.0), and topdressing with compost to improve its structure, you can enhance your soil’s health.
Why Lola’s Landscape Can Assist
Doing spring lawn care in a hurry can cause a lot of trouble later. By being patient and avoiding the mistakes above, you can guarantee thicker, greener, and weed-free yards all through the summer. Need help with your turf? Hire Lola’s Landscape, the best turf professional in town for all your soil aeration, soil testing, or custom fertilizer applications. Your grasses will thank you!
