How’s It Growing: Keep It Green – Spring Lawn Care

The soil beneath your lawn will benefit from the nutrient value of compost. A top dressing of compost can be applied to an existing lawn at any time of the year. When starting a new lawn, add compost to at least 4" to 6" of new topsoil, then seed.

Full, healthy turf will discourage weeds. Instead of chemicals, apply corn gluten in the fall and again in the spring. The results will not be instantaneous, but there will be no harmful run-off.

Natural fertilizers include Dr. Earth, Ringers, Espoma, and Milorganite. These fertilizers are protein based and digested by soil microbes, then converted into nutrients.

Watering deeply, once a week, encourages deep root growth which allows for better nutrient absorption. Watering shouldn't be done when it's raining. Newer irrigation systems come with rain sensors or a sensor can be installed into an existing system. Water your lawn early in the morning to decrease the amount of evaporation. Watering on windy days is ineffective.

When mowing, remove only the top third of the grass. Keep your mower deck raised to 3" or 4". Taller grass will shade roots, keep the weeds to a minimum, and aid in moisture retention. Mower blades should be sharpened at least once a year. Mow when the grass is dry. Change mowing directions to avoid compaction.

Aeration reduces the compaction of the soil. Less compacted soil will produce less run-off, stronger roots through better moisture retention, and better air flow to the roots.