June 2006, Volume 3 Number 1

Preparing Your Lawn For Spring

Everybody dreams of having a lush and healthful yard.  And if you want the grass to be greener on your side of the fence, pay heed to this advice.

As you prepare to dust off the lawn mower, beware of treating your lawn too early in the season.  Start by raking the yard, making it clear of debris.  Then aerate the soil; this allows oxygen to penetrate the soil and stimulates grass growth, as well as allows water to seep into the ground with more ease.  Ideally this is done in the autumn; however, it should be avoided during the hot summer months.  Manual and power aerators can be purchased from hardware stores. 

You should fertilize your yard starting in the early spring and provide nutrients throughout the year.  Don’t rush spring fertilization, though.  In areas that are prone to harsh winters, wait until the grass starts to grow and becomes green.  By jumping the gun, early fertilization can cause the grass to start growing before it is naturally ready to do so.

When watering your yard, be patient during the early spring months; don’t water your lawn with the first warm weather.  By allowing the soil to dry a bit, you encourage the grass roots to establish themselves deeper in the soil.