| |
|
Spring Yard Clean Up
A Green and Healthy Lawn starts with a
Spring Yard Clean Up
By Mark J. Donovan
|
|
When spring is in the air and the
snow has finally melted so that you can see your lawn again it is time to think
about spring yard clean up. Here in southern New Hampshire spring yard clean up
typically begins in late April and early May.
It always amazes me how brutal the winter can be on a yard. After a long and
hard winter the lawn is matted down, tree limbs litter the yard, and in some
places in the yard and around the house leaves have accumulated and compacted.
In addition, there are frequently signs of lawn damage caused by moles, insects
and pets. |
Once the snow has
melted and the lawn is fairly dry it is important to get outside and pickup the
fallen tree limbs, flatten out any mole tracks and lightly rake the yard. While
raking the yard you can assess the lawn for any insect, pet, or weather damage,
and determine whether or not any reseeding will be required. In addition, you
can assess if the lawn needs to be treated with insecticide and/or fertilizer.
By addressing your lawn’s ailments sooner rather than later you can prevent
bigger problems, such as wide spread insect infestations. Also, a repaired lawn
can heal and grow better in the mildly warm and moist air of spring, rather than
in the full heat of summer.
|
|
After lightly raking the lawn
consider using a dethatcher on the lawn next to remove all of the thatch
buildup. Thatch prevents sunlight, fertilizer nutrients, and oxygen from getting
into the soil and thus prevents a healthy lawn.
After raking the lawn it is also a good idea to aerate the lawn. Aerating the
lawn involves removing plugs of soil from the lawn. Heavy snow can compact not
only the grass but also the soil making it more difficult to let in water and
fertilizer nutrients.
|
Aerating the lawn loosens the
soil and allows water, oxygen, and the important fertilizer nutrients to
percolate down through the lawn. You can rent power aerators from your local
home improvement center.
|
Find a Qualified Landscape Contractor in Your Area |
|
Get Free Quotes. Easy, Quick and No
Obligations!
For the home improvement or home remodeling project that is
too big for you, check out our partner
NeedContractor. They are a national
resource for finding pre-screened, insured, and licensed home improvement and remodeling contractors in your local area.
|
|
|
Get Matched in 48 hours with Landscape Contractors! |
After raking and aerating your
lawn, top dress it with a skim coat of peat moss and gently rake it into the
lawn. Also patch any bare spots or damaged spots. Remove any of the damaged
lawn patches, scratch up the top soil, and apply grass seed and a little
starter fertilizer. Then water regularly until the grass seed germinates.
|
Also weed the lawn and consider putting down a fertilizer with weed and
crabgrass inhibitors. By doing so, you can ensure a weed and crabgrass
free lawn throughout the year.
Finally, pull out the lawnmower and weed whacker and give them a quick
tune up. Clean the spark plugs and air filters and change the oil. Also
sharpen the lawnmower blades. |
Photos by Mark Donovan
|
By tackling the spring yard clean
up early and getting the yard tools ready for use, you can be assured of
having a green and healthy lawn this summer.
Planning to have a Brick or Paver Walkway
Installed
by a Landscaping Contractor but not sure what questions to ask to ensure you
hire the right one? See HomeAdditionPlus.com's
Brick and Paver Walkway Bid Sheet. The
Brick and Paver Walkway Bid Sheet will help ensure that your walkway
project goes smoothly and you get the finished walkway you are looking for.
How to Finance your New Home Project
- LendingTree's
Home Equity Loans
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required.
Spring Yard Clean Up Tools from Amazon.com
|
|
|
