With spring just around the corner, it’s time to start prepping your home for the warmer months ahead. The exterior of your home plays an important role in the overall function, through maintaining structural integrity for example, and also by maintaining curb appeal. Your lawn has a major influence on the appearance of your home and is most often what potential buyers or passersby notice first. With a long, cold, and wet winter, it’s important to attack your yard maintenance right away this spring. Check out this Canadian homeowner’s guide to maintaining your lawn this spring.
Don’t Rush
The transition from winter to spring is exciting for most homeowners. No more snow, warmer weather, pretty flowers, and sunshine are just a few things that homeowners can look forward to. However, it’s important not to rush at the first signs of spring. If you jump ahead with your spring lawn care, it could leave your lawn vulnerable to the winter elements, exposing it to possible further damage. Ensure that when you begin your lawn maintenance this spring that there is no snow in the upcoming weather forecast.
Spring Clean Up
If you failed to have a fall clean-up done then the first thing you’re going to have to do is clean up your yard. You can start by raking the leaves up. Once those are cleared, you can gently rake the lawn again, being sure to break up what is known as thatch. Thatch is a layer of living and dead grass that has accumulated. If the layer gets too thick, it can negatively impact your lawn’s growth. Raking can also help to break up any grass that has been impacted by snow mold, allowing new grass to be able to penetrate the surface. To avoid a heavy clean-up next spring, be sure to book your fall clean-up now!
Aerate
Aerating your lawn allows water and air to run through it more easily. Aeration is done by creating tiny holes in the lawn, which act as openings for water and air. It’s important to only aerate in the spring if your soil is compact. Otherwise, aeration can be a perfect place for weeds to grow, causing more of a hassle.
There are plenty of methods today to aerate your lawn, from human-powered equipment to heavy machinery. If you don’t have the equipment, or want to make sure the job is completed correctly and safely, then hire a pro for a lawn aeration service here.
Overseed & Fertilize
If your lawn is not looking too great when the snow melts, this can include bare patches, then it’s a sign that you should be overseeding your lawn. Spring is not necessarily the best time to overseed your lawn, however, it can be done if needed. Overseeding is a process in which you apply seed over the existing grass. While you can spot-treat the problem areas, it’s recommended that you overseed your entire lawn. This gives the whole lawn a chance to grow back healthier and stronger, ultimately keeping it uniform in appearance. Be sure to water your lawn daily until you notice that its growth has caught up and continue with regular watering after that.
In addition to overseeding your lawn, you can naturally fertilize your lawn with compost or lawn clippings. It’s best to talk to an expert about when to fertilize the grass. To get the best results, hire a pro to properly overseed and fertilize your lawn.
Maintenance
It’s important to maintain your lawn all year round and not just within the first couple weeks of spring. Proper maintenance can include regular mowing and watering to ensure a healthy-looking lawn. Having a good sprinkler system installed can save you a lot of time and energy. Be sure to check your lawn mower at the end of winter to make sure it’s still running properly. If it is in need of maintenance, you can take it to your local repair shop. If you don’t have a mower or are in need of a new one, there are plenty on the market that is safe, and easy to use. Additionally, they have non-gas and non-electric mowers that are powered by you! This can serve as a great outdoor activity and exercise this spring. If you’re not interested in tackling this job on your own, you can hire a pro for lawn mowing services.
These are just a few of the staple maintenance tips to get your lawn ready for the warmer season and keep it healthy all year long. You can read more about why you shouldn’t neglect your lawn care here. Everyone’s yard is exposed to different elements, so be sure to customize your lawn care to its needs. If you’re unsure of where to begin, get connected with a local, verified Pro at HomeStars.com today!
