Spring Lawn Care

In case you didn’t notice, Spring is here. Many lawns in town are already looking pretty good. Most of the others will green up with some moisture. Regardless of how your lawn looks, however, it doesn’t hurt to go through a spring routine to improve the health and appearance of your lawn.

The first thing that yard owners need to do is clean up the mess that has accumulated over the winter months. Dog droppings, decayed leaves, and other garbage needs to removed. Many people use a hand rake and/or a lawn mower to pick up loose debris. “Power raking” is sometimes done to help with spring lawn cleanup. If you are going to have your lawn power raked, however, it is important that this procedure be done before the grass has started to grow, and the settings on the power rake should not be set too low. It is all too easy to damage the turf crowns and rhizomes (lateral grass stems) with a power rake, and the greening up of your lawn will be delayed.

Some homeowners are worried about thatch. Thatch is the layer of grass stems, roots, clippings, and debris that settles on the ground and either slowly decomposes or accumulates over time. A little bit of thatch is fine. Over one-half inch of thatch can interfere with penetration of air, water, and nutrients. Excess thatch occurs when lawns are allowed to grow too tall, clippings are not picked up, and aeration is not periodically done. Over-watering and over-fertilizing can contribute to thatch buildup.

Lawn aeration is a secret weapon that you can use to give your lawn “golf course like” characteristics. It helps your lawn breathe and be healthy by giving nutrients direct access to the root system. Aerating saves you money by reducing the amount of water and fertilizer that you need. Lawn aeration makes it easier for your roots to grow thicker and deeper, and makes your lawn more resistant to drought and disease. Using a lawn aerator improves your soil in the same way that rototilling helps a garden.  The “Successful Lawns” handout (from the U of Montana Extension Service) states that lawn aeration is superior to power raking if you are trying to fix an excess thatch problem.

Core aerators remove plugs of dirt from your lawn. Spike aerators can actually compact your soil, and should not be used. After core aeration is done, the plugs should be left in place – and allowed to disintegrate with the next watering and/or mowing. Most experts recommend you aerate your lawn every 1-3 years.  If you have hills, pets, or active outdoor children your lawn may benefit from twice a year aeration.  The best time to fertilize and over seed is just after aerating your lawn.  For best results, aerate when the soil is moist, in order to let the aerator tines better penetrate the soil.

Spring lawn cleanup, raking, and aeration is just the beginning of your yearly yard care routine. Watering, fertilizing, weed prevention, and lawn repair are future topics to consider. Enjoy the process. And make your yard the kind of place where you will be able to enjoy barbecues, picnics, and other activities.