Great lawn care in the spring can mean a flourishing stand of grass in the summer. Here is what you need to know about Chagrin Falls, OH, spring lawn maintenance and mowing.
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Remove the Dead Growth
One of the most important things to do for your post-winter yard can be to remove the old growth. This can be tree limbs that have fallen during the harsh weather, leaves that were left behind at the end of fall, and grass that seems dead and unlikely to return to vigorous growth.
Warm season grasses such as Bermuda, Zoysia, and Centipede grass all thrive during the warmest part of the year, namely in spring and summer, while cool season grasses such as Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, and ryegrass thrive during the cooler parts of the year. All lawns can benefit from aeration, the process by which small pellets of soil are removed to allow the sunlight, water and air to reach the important root growth. Warm season grasses can be aerated in the spring and very early summer, while cool season grasses should be aerated in the fall.
Fertilize the Lawn
Once the long winter months are over, your grass can be starved for the primary nutrients found in fertilizer. The nitrogen boosts growth and ensures healthy leaf and root development, potassium aids the lawn in resisting disease and pests, and phosphorus helps plants store and use energy. A fertilizer application can kickstart your lawn into lush, green growth. However, too much fertilizer can actually burn the grass so you need to pay careful attention to the correct ratio of nutrients for your unique grass and apply at the recommended rate.
Watering the Lawn
While the old saying “April showers bring May flowers” can be accurate, don’t rely only on the rain to bring the water that your lawn needs. Watering very early in the morning before the sun is up can be the ideal time for the most water retention which can help to build strong roots.
Watering to a depth of 2-3 inches can allow the water to penetrate the soil well to encourage root and blade growth. It can also bring the penetration of the fertilizer that your lawn needs.
Mowing the Lawn
It can be tempting to mow the grass fairly close to the ground because you dread the idea of having to mow a second time in the spring when the lawn grows the most, but this would be a grave mistake. Mowing the lawn too low can expose the tender roots to more sun than they can handle, causing them to burn.
Mowing the grass at a high height can do two beneficial things for your lawn—it can protect the roots from the harsh sun’s rays and the small pieces of grass that fall back onto the lawn can settle on top of the soil to hold in moisture.
When these yard tasks make you want to run away instead of hop on the mower, this might be the time to enlist a professional. With professional technicians who have been trained in the best practices of lawn mowing and overall care, they have the experience and equipment to keep your Chagrin Falls, OH, spring lawn looking its best no matter the season.
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