Our first application starts this week. We will be out in your yards fertilizing and treating the grass to optimize growth and health in the weeks and months to come.
Here are four simple tips for quicker, longer lasting improvement.
1. Mow Low
If your lawn mower hasn’t seen any action over the winter then cut your grass down to about 2” and bag the clippings. This takes the heads off the grass and promotes new growth. How? The soil and surface receive more of the sun’s warmth, which gets the grass growing!
If you have been having your lawn mowed regularly over winter this may not be necessary – lower the blade a little and check it is nice and sharp.
2. Turn The Sprinklers Off
We have had steady rain over winter, so let Mother Nature do her work and save yourself another high water bill (we’ll have enough of that come July!).
If it dries out or temperatures rise considerably (regularly over high-70s) then reassess, but remember that your lawn will be retaining a lot of this moisture we’ve been getting.
Do remember to water after our visit though!
3. Keep An Eye Out For Weeds.
In previous years I would be telling customers not to worry about weeds, that they will come and go with the cold weather. Then the Evil Weed Invasion Of 2016 arrived. We saw an incredible increase of highly aggressive, lawn consuming weeds such as doveweed and chamber bitter to add to our old favorite virginia buttonweed as a hardy nuisance.
This year a post emergent should be applied February / March and spot treatments for problem areas until it gets too hot – high 80’s and above.
We apply a post-emergent in Spring as standard, then offer free call outs to customers with weed concerns. This year we are starting early, offering spot weed treatments for customers and non-customers alike even before the Spring fertilization. We also now have products that are largely safe at high temperatures and can be applied through the summer- though I would not recommend this if treating your own yard as we always carefully analyze the results with the potential side effects (growth stunting being the most
We also now have products that are largely safe at high temperatures so can be applied through the summer- though I would not recommend this if treating your own yard as we always carefully weigh the benefits against the potential side effects (growth stunting being the most likely).
4. Be On The Lookout Look Out For Fungus.
If we have a mild or wet Spring our old enemy brown patch can become active. In more recent years gray leaf spot (often displaying as yellowing or gray spots on leaf blades) has liked to pay a Spring visit.
If you spot any area of concern then give us a call.
Enjoy Your Yard This Spring!
After our brutal, two-day winter this year the Spring seems to promise an excellent mix of sunshine and rain – providing excellent conditions for successful gardening. Get out there and plant trees, shrubs and evergreens – you can even start prepping for vegetables.
If you need some ideas visit our friends at Plants For All Seasons Nurseries.
Creative Commons images courtesy of starmist1, John E Kaminski and Dan4th
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