What Lawn Treatment For Spring

Treating Weeds And Moss

Lawn weeds are a major headache that can stop you fully enjoying your lawn. A strong, healthy and well-fed lawn will be able to deal with weeds and moss far better than one that isnt fed and looked after properly.

But where weeds and moss are a problem you need to deal with them quickly. If you just have weeds but no moss, then you can quickly treat your lawn with a liquid lawn weedkiller. These products contain special ingredients that, when applied in accordance with the instructions, wont cause any damage to your lawn grasses but will control most broad-leaved weeds. If you only have moss but no weeds then there are lawn moss killers available, most will also contain a feed so it will green up your lawn as it kills the moss – bear in mind the moss will turn black as it dies so you may not want to do this just before a party!

Spring Lawn Care Tips

Taking care of your lawn in the spring is the key to a lush, healthy lawn all year-round. Here are the top tips to achieve your dream lawn.

Spring has sprung, and that means its time for some serious lawn maintenance.

Homeowners may have a lot of work ahead of them, but this is the optimal time to get your lawn into shape. If youre unprepared when the warmer weather hits, youll be waging a war against weeds and may deal with some bare, patchy spots in your lawn. Both warm and cool season grasses go dormant in the winter, so your lawn will be fairly sensitive and tender in spring. Its best to treat your lawn with some TLCand well show you how.

Follow these 10 spring lawn care tips to get your lawn thriving all year long. Or, if you dont have the time to commit to fertilizing, aerating, and more, you can consider hiring a professional lawn care company to tackle this lengthy to-do list for you. We recommend TruGreen for its comprehensive packages and widespread availability.

This Month In A Nutshell

Summary ‘to do’ list for now through March:

• Reduce worm casting prior to mowing – see Pest & Diseases below
• Treat moss with a Ferrous Sulphate based product
• Aeration – use spikes and if no frost likely then also hollow tine
• Light topping with the mower – use very high setting
• Turfing jobs

• Weed Killer

Recommended Reading: Lowes Hydroseed

Dispose Of Lawn Clippings As Needed

It’s acceptable to leave grass clippings on your lawn unless they begin to form a thick thatch layer. Then remove the clippings and dethatch your lawn as needed.

Tip: If you use chemicals on your lawn, do not add the clippings to a compost pile.

Effective DIY lawn care during spring can save you time and effort later in the year. Follow these lawn care tips to make sure that your grass is greener.

When determining how much grass seed or mulch you need, don’t guesstimate, calculate. Know exactly how much you need with our project calculators.

Shop this Project

When To Kill Crabgrass

It helps to familiarize yourself with the plant’s life cycle to effectively eradicate crabgrass. When spring soil temperatures reach 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, crabgrass seeds start to germinate. From mid-summer through fall, the plant produces more seeds in an attempt to increase its numbers. Once the first frost arrives, the plants themselves are killed.

When organic methods are used, gardeners must wait until the seedlings are big enough to hand pull, roots and all. While crabgrass doesn’t spread via its roots, it’s still essential to remove the whole plant in the spring before amending the soil and reseeding.

Pre-emergent herbicides come in either a granular or a liquid form and kill crabgrass seedlings right as they germinate. Think of pre-emergent herbicides as forming an invisible shield across the soil’s surface that stops emerging crabgrass dead in its tracks.

• Seed and fertilizer spreader or weed sprayer
• Organic compost

Also Check: Kill Wild Violets In Lawn

Lawn Care Calendar: A Month

In this article, Im going to outline the lawn care calendar that I work by every year.

To help you as best I can, Ive broken down this lawn treatment schedule month by month so you know exactly what to do and when.

However, like everything when it comes to lawn maintenance, theres a caveat to everything

And thats the weather.

This lawn calendar is meant to be a guide only.

Unfortunately, we cant control the weather so youll have to use your best judgement when it comes to the timing of individual tasks.

Some years, if the weather is on our side, we can start certain tasks a little earlier than normal. Sometimes though, you might have to wait a little longer.

So dont stick to this like glue just because its in black and white on a computer screen.

Take a look at what the weather is doing and plan your jobs around that.

Spring Lawn Diseases: What To Look Out For Early On

Spring is almost here and with it comes lawn diseases that can creep up at the start of the season.

You likely put a lot of time and effort into ensuring your lawn is well cared for, and as a result, finished last season with a lawn full of lush green grass. But, no matter how well you cared for your lawn last season, there is always a risk that spring lawn diseases can spread and damage your lawn as soon as the weather warms.

As the snow begins to melt, keep your eye out for these common spring lawn diseases in Michigan.

You May Like: Pgf Complete Home Depot

Seed And Lime The Lawn As Needed

Plant grass seed in bare spots in your lawn or wherever growth is sparse. Consider seeding while applying a slow release nitrogen fertilizer. Early spring and fall are ideal times for reseeding.

• Spring is the best time to test your yards pH to determine if your soil is too acidic. Most grasses grow best when the soil pH is between 5.8 and 7.2. If your soil is too acidic, you can see an influx of moss, weeds, diseases and insect pests.
• Use a soil test kit to find your soil’s pH or ask a county extension agent if he or she can test for you.
• In many parts of the country, lime application can make the soil less acidic and help the grass better absorb fertilizers and nutrients from the soil.
• Soil pH changes over time, so retest yearly until your results are balanced. Afterwards, an established lawn can be tested every three years or so.
• Spring and fall are the best times to add lime to a lawn that needs it. Use soil test results to know how much lime to apply and follow the directions on the lime package.

Tip: Grass planted in spring may need extra watering, weeding and other attention during the summer. Fall seeding requires less fuss.

How To Kill Crabgrass

• Pin

• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Estimated Cost: $40 to $60

Digitaria is a warm-season annual that reproduces by seed. It grows in clumps with stems that radiate out from the center and resemble crab legs. This opportunistic grass is the nemesis of homeowners wanting to cultivate a manicured lawn, perennial flower beds, and meticulous walkways. It often appears in the spring and proliferates in the hot, dry conditions of the summer if it’s not eradicated first.

If crabgrass is a problem in your yard, luckily, you have more than one arrow in your quiver to remove it. The most natural way is to cultivate a healthy lawn and outcompete the pesky weed. Pulling the weed in the spring, providing your lawn with the proper nutrients, and then reseeding where necessary should get the job done.

For a tenacious crabgrass infestation, you can use post-emergent herbicides that kill crabgrass well after it has germinated. However, post-emergent herbicides tend to be effective only on young plants. You must be vigilant in detecting them and then act promptly when applying the herbicide. Pre-eminent herbicides, on the other hand, kill crabgrass before seedlings emerge, making it a more effective way to get the job done and allowing you time in the season to cultivate a lawn where there once was weeds.

Don’t Miss: Cost Of Trugreen Lawn Service

Feed And Conditioning Your Lawn

All plants need feeding to perform their best in the garden and your lawn is no exception. Westland Lawn Revive is a child and pet friendly natural lawn thickener. It will revive tired looking lawns in three ways

Find our more about how Lawn Revive works.

The Basics Of Spring Lawn Care

As the weather starts to break and your lawn begins to respond to natures wake-up call, a few basics of spring lawn care helps your lawn defend itself against weeds, flooding, and diseases. Tame your weedy, patchy, thin grass and become the envy of your neighborhood.

Lawn maintenance isnt difficult, and you also get a dose of sunshine, some fresh air, and some exercise. If you neglect your lawn in the spring, the rest of the year can be an uphill battle. Each yard has unique circumstances, so you may not need to implement every tip.

Remember, though, skipping out on spring lawncare could mean spending your weekends making up for your oversights. Actingnow ensures an easily maintained, healthy, and beautiful lawn.

Read Also: N-ext Rgs

Common Spring Lawn Disease: Leaf Spot Disease

Michigans cool, moist climate makes it a perfect environment for fungal lawn diseases, and chief among these issues is leaf spot disease. This fungal infection causes leaf damage and then makes the roots rot. If its not controlled quickly, it can destroy a wide range of grasses.

During the first stages of the disease, you might notice tan or brown lesions on the leaves of your grass. As the infection progresses, the lesions may turn black or dark brown.

If you dont address the lesions, your lawn will experience root rot, which makes your turf die in large patches.

Fertilization and aeration can help prevent leaf spot disease as can strategic watering. However, if your lawn is experiencing leaf spot disease, it will need a fungicide application.

Don’t Forget To Water Grass

Watering grass is as important as making sure it is properly fed. Don’t forget watering lawn in your spring lawn maintenance schedule.

Different grass types require different amounts of water. In most instances relying on rainfall is not enough. You may need to break out the garden hose and lawn sprinkler.

In general, most lawns require 1 inch of water per week when they are not dormant. If you are unsure of the rainfall levels or amount of water delivered by your sprinkler system, consider purchasing a rain gauge.

In order for the grass to thrive it is important for the grass roots to grow deep into the soil. By lawn watering deeply you can ensure deep root growth. It is preferable watering grass deeply rather than frequently.

The amount of water your lawn requires can also depend on soil texture, weather and if the soil is compacted.

The three components of your spring lawn maintenance schedule that are most important are cutting grass, watering grass and lawn fertilizing.

Taking these additional steps during the spring will help ensure you achieve the lawn goals you set for yourself. Keeping your lawn healthy is of the utmost importance in creating the lawn you are proud of and others envy.

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

Don’t Miss: How To Keep Rabbits Off My Lawn

Keep The Yard Clear Throughout The Winter

As youre wrapping up yardwork in the fall, be sure not to leave anything behind. Rake away all the leaves and put away sprinklers, hoses, garden furniture, yard toys and decorations. If something is left on the surface, the grass will get matted down during the winter months. With the added moisture of rain and snow, this can also make the perfect environment for pests and mold to sneak in and damage the turf or kill it.

Service The Lawn Mower

Spring also means it’s time to get out the lawn mower and give it a once over. Start it up stubborn start-ups are a sign that it might be due for a tune-up. Give your mower a tune-up once a year. In three easy steps, you can get your mower back in tip-top shape. If your lawnmower needs more than a tune-up, then consider getting a new one.

Among the key tune-up tasks is sharpening the mower blade. A regular sharpening will ensure the blade severs, rather than tears, the grass plants, leading to a nice green lawn rather than one with ragged brown tips.

You May Like: Riding Lawn Mowers No Credit Check Near Me

Test For Soil Acidity

Most home improvement stores and garden centers like ACE& True Value sell do it yourself soil pH tests. These tests are a valuable tool as you prepare your lawn for the summer. Harsh, long winters can cause the pH levels in your soil to become very acidic, which makes it difficult for most grasses to thrive.

If you find that your soil has a high acid level, you can spread a thin layer of lime over your lawn. The lime neutralizes the acid and makes the soil better able to support new grass growth.

Spring Tasks To Foster A Great Lawn

• Email

The Spruce / David Karoki

When spring is in the air, you’ll see the first crocuses or daffodils return, marking the coming of the season. These signs should also signal to you that it’s time to get your lawn ready for the growing season. The exact timing of these lawn care tasks depends upon the climate of your region. If you get snow in your area, then start when you are pretty confident the snow season is over. Or time the start of your yard work with the point when the local forsythia plants stop blooming and the local lilac bushes begin to flower.

For homeowners in most regions, there are eight tasks you should complete in the spring to foster a healthy lawn.

Read Also: Rgs Grass

Feed Your Lawn With Grass Fertilizer

Your lawn is no different than your children. In order for the grass to grow it needs to be fed.

Your schedule for lawn fertilizing should be determined based on grass type and composition of the soil. Typically it should be done twice in the spring. The first time in early spring and the second time in late spring.

To supplement the grass fertilizer, consider leaving the lawn clippings on the lawn after you mow. Unless of course, you have lawn problems in which case you will want to bag the lawn clippings. The grass clippings are rich in nitrogen which is an important nutrient for your lawn.

There are many types of grass fertilizer. Look at the lawn fertilizer numbers to determine the best grass fertilizer for your lawn.

You can also consider using organic lawn fertilizer.

What Time Of Day Is Best To Fertilise A Lawn

Avoid fertilising your lawn beneath the midday sun

The best time of day to fertilise a lawn is generally the early evening. Lawn fertiliser can be strong stuff and if applied when the sun is high in the sky and air temperatures are hot, it can begin to burn.

A final note is to add fertiliser after mowing this gives the fertiliser time to really do its job in-between cuts.

You May Like: Peat Moss Grass

Get Rid Of Weeds And Moss

After the wet winter months, your lawn may be overrun with moss and weeds that compete with the grass for vital nutrients and soil moisture.

Another spring lawn job is to kill off moss it is best to use an all in one lawn feed, weed and moss killer. This will increase the nutrient levels of the grass which therefore kills off the moss. Aftercut All In One is a good product to use to do this. Apply Aftercut All In One a few days after mowing and lightly rake out the moss once it begins to die . You will be left with bare patches in your lawn once the moss is gone. It is essential to grow new healthy grass over these patches to avoid them being overgrown by moss again . The patches can easily be repaired using Gro-Sure Smart Patch, which is a grass seed with special aqua gel technology that locks in essential nutrients and therefore guarantees results. The best time to do this is in the spring or autumn months.

See our guide on how to repair patches in your lawn for more details.

Small patches of weeds can be dealt with effectively by using Resolva Lawn Weedkiller, or by removing by hand. If you choose to use a weedkiller on your lawn, make sure it says lawn weedkiller on it. If you use a normal weedkiller you will kill all your grass.

Tips For End Of Winter And Early Spring Lawn Care

Updated on February 22, 2019 by Keith Critchley

With the crazy weather weve been getting this winter, lawn care may be the furthest thing from your mind. But beautiful, healthy grass requires special attention in all seasons. There are ways that you can prepare your lawn for the cold weather and help it bounce back from the long, harsh winter. The good news is that grass is resilient with a little assistance it can be back to its lush, green self in no time.

So, what do homeowners need to do in the winter to ensure a great looking lawn in the spring? Here are seven key tips for keeping your grass strong through the cold months and helping it to perk up as soon as the snow melts.

You May Like: How Much Is Trugreen Service