Creating and maintaining a lush, green lawn takes less time and work than you think. Follow these easy steps any time March through May for a lawn that will make your neighbors green with envy!
Clean-Up: Rake the lawn to remove leaves, twigs and other debris that may have accumulated over the winter.
Mowing: Resume mowing when your lawn begins to actively grow. Mower blade height should be set at 2.5”-3” in the spring. Start the season with sharp mower blades.
Weed Control:
- Crabgrass: Crabgrass is a summer weed that germinates March-May. Spring is the best time to control it using a crabgrass preventer when temperatures are between 50 and 55 degrees for 3 or more consecutive days. (Or when the forsythia are in bloom. If you are planning to apply grass seed to your lawn, you must use a crabgrass preventer that is safe to use on grass seed.
- Dandelions & other broadleaf weeds: can be controlled with a broadleaf weed killer. Spot treatment is preferred when only a few weeds exist. When the problem is severe, use a granular weed killer or a ‘weed and feed” product.
Watering: If spring rains are not adequate (1” of rainfall per week), then supplemental irrigation is needed. It’s best to apply 1”-1.5” of water in one or two applications per week. (For more specific watering directions, take a look at our watering handout “Watering the Right Way”.
Fertilizing: If you missed the Fall/Winter feeding, you may use an organic, high quality lawn fertilizer in Early April and again around Memorial Day.
Insects: You may apply a grub control as the weather warms up if you did not apply one last summer/fall and have grubs present in the lawn.
Seeding: Although now is a good time to seed tin or bare spots, the best time for doing a major seeding or lawn renovation is mid-August through fall.
Liming: Now is a great time to lime – if it is needed. Lawns prefer a pH range of 6.2 to 6.8 (6.5 is optimum). You can have your soil pH tested for free at Hicks Nurseries.
- pH Soil Testing
Bring a half cup of completely dry soil to our Garden Information Desk; we will gladly test your soil’s pH for free and the results are available while you wait. A proper pH is very important to a healthy lawn. Grass absorbs fertilizer and other minor elements best when the pH is within the optimal range leading to a healthier lawn with fewer weeds and less fungus. pH meters and kits are also available in-store for sale for at-home, on-the-spot testing.
You can have a lush, green lawn! If you have any additional questions about how to start the year off right with your lawn, we are always here to answer your questions. Visit the Garden Care Information Desk to speak with one of our lawn care experts or send your questions to us at HicksInfo@HicksNurseries.com.
Additional Information:
Lawn Repair
Watering the Right Way