5 Spring Tips for a Healthier Lawn

Whether it’s a cup of coffee or nutrient-packed breakfast, most of us need a little boost to jump-start our day.

When you think about it, your lawn is no different. It, too, needs a little help to get up and get going after a long winter’s nap.

Below are 5 tips to “wake up” your lawn this spring and have it looking better (and healthier!) than ever.

Tip #1: Rake Out the Thatch and Leftover Leaves

Thatch is basically dead or dying grass on top of the soil. While a little bit of thatch — about ½ inch — can be good for your lawn, too much can block air, water and nutrients from seeping down into the root system where it’s needed most.

A thorough, deep raking in early spring when the soil is dry is a great way to rid your lawn of excessive thatch buildup. Additionally, it helps clear your lawn of leftover leaves from the previous fall, which can also deprive your lawn of essential nutrients.

When it comes to choosing the type of rake to use, you have options. You can use the same rake you use for leaves in the fall, purchase a specialized dethatching rake, rent a dethatcher, or hire a lawn service to do it for you.

Tip #2: Aerate to Loosen Compacted Soil

Over time — whether from constant foot traffic, snow, or heavy equipment on your lawn — the soil in your yard becomes compacted. Much like excessive thatch buildup, this keeps your lawn from getting the air, water and nutrients it needs to thrive.

Core aeration can help. A core aerator pulls 2-3 inch plugs of soil from your lawn, loosening compacted soil so that vital air, water and nutrients can reach the root zone. While the plugs may be unsightly, don’t worry. They’ll decompose back into the soil quickly with watering, mowing or raking.

The easiest way to aerate your lawn is to hire a lawn service to handle it for you. But if you’re a dedicated do-it-yourselfer, you can rent an aerator from most local hardware or equipment rental stores. (Aerators are extremely heavy, so make sure you have a truck or trailer to haul it in, and someone to help you load and unload it.)

Tip #3: Overseed for a Thicker, Healthier Lawn

Stresses such as heat, drought, winter conditions and pests can cause your grass to become thin and weak. Overseeding can be a way to not only save your lawn and breathe new life into it, but also prevent weeds from taking over.

Overseeding is simply spreading grass seed over your existing lawn to add density and thickness. You can overseed by hand or with a rotary or drop spreader. The type of seed you should use depends on where you live (the most commonly used grasses in Iowa are Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and fine fescue).

Overseeding works best when combined with aerating because the seeds find their way into the holes, make good contact with the soil, and germinate quickly. It’s worth pointing out that, to germinate quickly, the seed must stay constantly moist. Watering several times a day for very short intervals until the seeds germinate is ideal.

Unless you prefer to tackle it yourself, most lawn services offer core aeration and overseeding together as a package deal.

Tip #4: Repair Ruts, Bumps and Holes

Take a walk across your lawn. If you’ve ever had a tree removed, you might notice the turf sinking where the tree once stood. This is due to the roots decaying and the soil collapsing over the decaying roots.

Or maybe you’ll notice tire ruts from a vehicle that did work on your property, holes or bumps caused by local critters, or indentations from fallen tree limbs. Not only are these damaged areas unsightly, but they’re also safety hazards.

The good news is, you can easily fix these uneven or problem areas. In most cases, all you need is a digging fork or edger, a shovel, soil, water, and some grass seed.

If grass is still present, simply lift the sod with a digging fork (for deeper indentations, slice the sod down the center with an edger or shovel and fold it back). Next, loosen the existing soil before adding enough new soil so that it is mounded 1-2 inches above the surrounding turf. Then, replace the sod, pat it lightly into place, and water. If the area you’re repairing is bare (no grass), apply grass seed to the mounded soil you add, and water regularly until the seed germinates.

Tip #5: Fertilize for an Added Boost

When applied correctly, fertilizer can give your lawn an added boost. A light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer is sometimes all your lawn needs in the spring. But if crabgrass and other pesky weeds like to take up residency in your lawn every year, a pre-emergent herbicide may be the answer. (For an environmentally safer alternative to herbicides, consider hand-picking weeds or using an organic fertilizer.)

The ideal time to apply pre-emergent crabgrass preventer is usually when area soil temperatures reach 55-60 degrees fahrenhiet — the temperature at which crabgrass seeds typically begin to germinate — for 2-3 consecutive days. (You can pick up a soil thermometer at most hardware stores.)

It’s worth pointing out that, unless the product specifically says it’s ok to use with seeding, you’ll want to skip crabgrass control if you overseed this spring.

Get Started!

There you have it. Five tips you can use this spring to help your lawn look its best throughout the year. If any or all of this is more than you want to handle on your own, consider hiring us. Click here to find out how we can help you.