A Comprehensive Guide to Spring Yard Makeovers

Has Old Man Winter left your yard looking ragged and run down? A healthy lawn is the foundation for maximizing your curb appeal and keeping your home's exterior looking its best. Follow this guide to give your yard a makeover this spring.

Spring clean by dethatching

Thatch, a mixture of living and dead grass, is good as long as the layer doesn't measure more than half an inch. It buffers the grass roots against extreme temperatures, holds in moisture, and provides protective cushioning. But more than half an inch can lead to thatch buildup and makes your lawn feel "cushy."

Breaking up thatch is the best way to encourage the new growth of grass. You can do the task by raking, using a cordless leaf blower, and mowing the grass down to its runners. Or if you prefer, use a scarifying and dethatching machine available at your local home improvement store.

Aerate if needed

A lawn that gets heavy traffic or has experienced a drought may need to be aerated. Aerating the compacted soil will strengthen grass roots by increasing the air, water, and nutrients that reach the roots. Aeration is especially helpful for yards with poor soil.

The process simply involves strategically removing plugs of soil with a hand aerator. If the job is too tough or your lawn is large, you may want to hire a lawn contractor to do it for you.

As a word of caution, wait until later on in the spring to aerate. Crabgrass seeds are the first to germinate, and an open hole will give them the ideal place to grow.

Use herbicides

Tackle a crabgrass problem with a pre-emergent herbicide to keep last summer's seeds that have been lying dormant from germinating. You can either pull up perennial weeds or winter annual weeds by hand or use a post-emergent broadleaf herbicide. Follow the timing and application advice on the package. Consult a professional at your local garden store for suggestions on the best herbicides for your area.

Overseed to cover bare patches

If your yard is rife with bare patches, consider overseeding. You can either sow grass seeds on the visible patches or overseed the entire yard so that it grows thick and lush. Apply a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer, and keep the soil moist until the seeds have sprouted and begun growing.

Overseeding is usually a fall lawn maintenance task, but it can be a successful approach in early spring if your yard is in dire need. It's also a good method for introducing new varieties of grass into your yard.

Apply grass fertilizer

About three weeks after the grass starts looking greener is the best time to apply a spring fertilizer. If you fertilize earlier than this, you risk feeding weeds. An application that is too early can also encourage lush blade growth before the roots have started their spurt of spring growth.

Plan for irrigation

Watering your lawn in spring varies by region. In some areas, spring rains may be enough to awaken your lawn. In arid areas, increase your winter watering schedule as the temperatures climb.

Spring is the perfect time to consider a company like Conserva Irrigation for your home. Conserve water, save money, and maintain a lush lawn all at the same time.

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