Springtime is here and that means getting those lawns ready for the Spring and Summer months once again, especially for those with a custom home that want only perfection of the yard to match the perfection of a dream home. Fortunately for those do it yourself types out there, there are some easy tips that make taking care of the lawn manageable and stress free.
Preparing the Lawn
According to How Stuff Works, preparing the lawn for growth and rebirth is the first step. If it was well maintained the year before, preparing the lawn is significantly easier. Start by lightly using a rake to gather any leaves left behind from Fall or Winter along with any dead grass Wait until the ground is dry, though. This will expose any problems such as poor drainage caused by uneven ground. When parts of the ground are lower than the rest, those spots tend to not drain as well. Conversely, higher spots tend to lose too much grass when the lawn is mowed. It is an easy fix for both of those problems, however. Simple take the dirt from the higher areas to fill in the lower ones.
Another common problem for lawns is soil compaction. This usually occurs in high traffic areas, where soil is repeatedly stepped on and pushed down until it becomes compacted. In a compacted state, it is hard for grass to penetrate the soil to take root in it, resulting in less grass and more weeds. To take care of the issue before it becomes a problem, though, by using an aerator to loosen the compacted dirt. Test for the problem by jamming a fork into the ground. It should go in about two inches, if the soil is loose enough.
The last problem to check for when preparing the yard is thatch, tangled roots of grass above the lawn. This is a common problem for lawns featuring a dense, spread grass type. San Augustine or Bermuda are two examples of such grass types. If too much thatch is present, water and nutrients may not be able to fully reach the soil. To fix the problem, use a specifically designed rake or a dethatcher for larger areas of thatch.
Seed Planting
Spring is the time to plant the seeds for a beautiful Summer lawn. Preparing the yard for new growth will reveal all of the areas that might need new seeds planted in order to fill in some gaps or to make the grass appear more lush. Figure out which varieties of grass grow best in your area and what the soil problems are that kept the grass from growing in those spots last season. The soil condition must be address first so that the new seeds will flourish. In some cases, spreading grasses will naturally fill in the areas needed. Otherwise, seeds of the same variety can be planted, though it does not necessarily have to be the same type of grass as the rest of the lawn. It does help to have all the same type for cohesive purposes, though.
Take Care of It
The last thing to do for Spring and Summer grass is to keep on taking care of it. Fertilize the seeds and the rest of the lawn and then don’t forget to water it as necessary. Also, keep it mowed as needed. If herbicides or pesticides are used, be mindful that they are lawn friendly so that bald spots are not created in the yard.
+Ken Uhrich likes houses. In fact he lives in one. You can drop him a line at the Custom Home Group website.