Spring Lawn and Landscaping Tips

Spring is here and it is time to get your lawn and landscape ready for the new season! Here at From the Ground Up we wanted to give you some tips to help get your lawn and landscape ready for the new growth ahead.

1. First is first, clean out your lawn and flower beds.
a. Pick up any branches, leaves, and debris that may have fallen throughout the winter season.
b. All warm season grasses need to be scalped or de-thatched and the cool season grasses need to be mowed regularly. Scalping removes the thatch that insects love while promoting healthy growth of the grass.
c. Prune your shrubs and ornamental grasses. This is a good time of year to prune your Crape Myrtles and like shrubs. Most ornamental grasses should be pruned down to approximately 6″ -8″ above ground.
2. This next tip depends on if you are going to plant new grass seed this spring.
a. If you are going to plant grass seed do not apply pre-emergent. You will just want to apply a balanced fertilizer, organic if you can find it.
b. If you are going to plant your seed or sod this fall, apply a crabgrass pre-emergent and a balanced fertilizer.
c. For you flower beds and vegetable garden you want to make sure the soil conditions are good for planting. A soil test will tell you what nutrients, if any, will need to be added. Make sure to add organic matter to the soil at the time of planting. These nutrients will help the plant to grow deeper roots which will decrease the stress on the plant.
3. Planting seed or not, watering is a must. Now is the time to de-winterize your sprinkler system and get everything working correctly. Run through each zone of your sprinkler system checking every head for leaks and correct operation also look for any leaks away from the sprinkler heads. The last thing you want to do is insure your programs are set up correctly. Don’t forget to set you controller to automatic once you have finished tinkering!
4. An often overlooked tip is to make sure your mower is tuned up. Replace the spark plug, change the oil, grease any joints as needed, and sharpen the blade. A dull mower blade actually tears the grass instead of cutting it. This tearing will result in brown ends and can promote fungus.
5. Set your mower height and mow regularly. Cool season grasses such as Fescue and Bluegrass should be cut from 2.5″ to 4″ in height. Warm season grasses such as Bermuda and Buffalo, should be cut from 1″ to 2″ in height. Weekly mowing and grass removal will leave your lawn looking the best it can this season.
6. Finally you want to apply a 3″ to 4″ layer of mulch over all your flower beds. I recommend using a premium shredded mulch as it will not float or blow away as easily. Mulch will provide your flower beds with a great weed defense while helping to retain the moisture from watering.

If we can be of any additional help with your spring lawn and landscaping needs please let us know.