How to Grow: Spring Lawn Care

Learn what to do when this spring to care for your lawn.

Listen to podcast:

Ahh spring, the flowers are blooming, asparagus is growing, and, oh yes, the lawn needs mowing. While we all strive for a green, beautiful lawn with few weeds, home owners have varying degrees of lawn tolerance. Just take a look around your neighborhood. Some lawns are worthy of a golf course, while others, well, at least they’re green.

So, let’s look at what you should be doing to your lawn this spring to keep it healthy and beautiful. One of the first spring chores is aerating the lawn. You can rent a commercial aerator or in a small lawn just use an iron fork and poke holes in the grass. Aeration loosens up the soil so air, water and fertilizer can reach the roots. For thin lawns, topdress with compost. Add a ¼ inch thick layer and rake it in. Overseed with lawn seed at the same time. This will help build up the root systems. A healthy root system means a thick lawn with less weeds. While the temptation to fertilize is strong this time of year, if you usually fertilize only once, it’s better to do it in the fall. You’ll get better grass root growth and less flush of green top growth compared to a spring application. If you do fertilize, choose an organic product that has low or no phosphorous. Phosphorus runs off the lawn and pollutes our rivers, lakes and the Long Island Sound. Unless a soil test says otherwise, most lawns don’t need extra phosphorous. Also, never apply the fertilizer within 20 feet of a stream or body of water to reduce the pollution.

From the Connecticut Garden Journal

Save

Save