Who doesn’t love stepping outside into soft, lush, thick grass? When putting forth the proper effort and care into a lawn, the payoff can be huge. However, lawn care is not only for a single season. Lawn care is more than just a warm-weather task.
Lawn care is not only about cutting the grass. There are many things that should be done to the lawn, equipment, and other supplies and resources to help make a lawn as beautiful as ever. Scheduling a lawn care business or keeping up with your grass yourself is a year-round process. Read on to learn about seasonal lawn care because the grass can always be greener on the other side!
Fall
During the fall, there is much work to be done prior to the cold winter season. There are many things that go beyond mowing during this time. This is the ideal time for new grass to be planted. First, the removal of dead grass and leaves needs to take place; this is a simple, yet very important step before moving forward in the early fall months.
Then, break up compact soil so the other materials can be more easily absorbed. If needed, compost may be added to help the soil and eventual grass seed. Then, grass seed should be applied to the area.
It is important to consider the area in which the seed will be laid; there are different types of grass for different types of climates, the ability to be in or out of the shade, and other considerations.
Laying the correct type of grass seed is extremely important for several reasons. The grass type needs to be in a setting that it can thrive. In addition, spending money on lawn care can add up; you don’t want to waste money on the wrong type of seed.
The fall is the time to fertilize, as well. After raking the grass seed in the soil, take grass clippings or hay and sprinkle it over top. This provides a layer of protection for the seeds from animals and also prevents it from drying. With that, it is important to consistently water the area to encourage the seeds to take hold.
Winter
People living in Northern areas where snow can pile up know lawn care in the winter is not the time to be planting seeds. However, there are several things that can be done to help the lawn as the weather and temperatures improve. Although the work is not as grueling as the work in other seasons, doing these things can make a lawn thrive.
It is important that during the winter months trampling the frozen area should be avoided. Repeatedly going over the same area can cause the grass to ultimately die. Then, when the snow melts, the unwelcome surprise of dead grass areas will appear.
Sometimes, an early snow can cause more leaves to fall. It is still important to remove the leaves just like during the fall months. However, it is also important to not remove the leaves with force. Digging into the surface to remove leaves can cause damage to the grass instead of helping it.
Spring
During the early springtime is when it is a good idea to make sure equipment is working well. Make sure the blades are sharp and you have a supply of fresh gas are all ready to go. Going to use the equipment in the late spring to find out it is not running right will cause a delay in proper lawn care for the season.
Prior to even considering getting the lawnmower out onto the grass, it is important to make sure the lawn is free of debris or anything else that could cause potential harm to the grass. This can be done by taking a yard rake and raking up the dead grass and debris.
In doing so, it allows the lawn to avoid fungus and pest problems. When it is time to get out there and cut the grass, taking time prior to mowing to clean things up will save time and money in the long run.
There are other things that should be done in preparation for lawn care prior to getting on the mower. This is the time to take a soil sample to see just what kind of soil the grass is rooted in. Think of it as baseline bloodwork.
There are important alkaline and acidity levels that soil should attain for grass to flourish. If pH levels need to be adjusted to help grass growth, it can be done, but it is important to know what the base levels are through a soil sample.
Aeration can also take place during the springtime. However, this should only be done in areas with heavier traffic. By aerating a lawn, it allows for air and nutrients to be better absorbed by the grass and its roots.
Summer
The temperatures continue to climb, and people want to be outside even more. Mowing the lawn is not the only thing that should take place in the summer months. Be on alert for pests such as grubs. If many are spotted, the lawn may require a pesticide treatment. Taking a peek under the surface of the grass may be necessary to check for grubs.
This is also the time to treat weeds. It is important to not jump to a pesticide solution. First, try to remove the weeds by hand and by using a garden fork. If the weeds are still not improving, then it may be time to try something more substantial.
During the summer is when a lot of mowing will also take place. Although it may be tempting to cut the grass very short, doing so can actually cause damage. Keeping the grass a bit higher allows for the roots to take a better hold and the grass blades avoid being scorched in the heat.
Watering a lawn is a delicate balance in the summer months. It is important to not underwater or over water the lawn. A way to check to see if the grass and soil are not too dry is by using a screwdriver. If it can’t be easily pushed into the first several inches of soil, it means the lawn needs watering.
Lawn Care Year Round
Taking care of the lawn is something to be handled year-round. Many of the items listed above are things many people already do to take care of their lawns. However, you should take a good look at your own current seasonal lawn care routines. You may find holes in the plan and make changes for future lawn care.
Making these items part of routine lawn care, although at times time-consuming, means the payoff can be huge. This can mean money saved on improper or ineffective lawn care practices. It can also mean a better looking, healthier lawn for all to enjoy!