Lawn Care Playbook: How To Supercharge Your Yard This Season
Taking care of a lawn and yard for the first time can be exciting, especially for new homeowners. However, the lack of necessary tools and know-how can be a challenge. This was me when I bought my first home. I had always rented and knew nothing, and I didn’t have any lawn tools. At first, I felt a bit overwhelmed, but with each season, I gained more confidence, knowledge and tools.
If you’re new to lawn care, don’t panic. It’s completely normal to start without all the answers. Read on for our beginner’s lawn care guide, featuring expert advice from three professionals: Joe Churchill from Reinders, Matt Cameron from CMS Landscaping and Tylor Harrington from Berkshire Turfgrass Specialists.
Tools and Materials
When starting out with lawn care, you’ll need a few basic tools.
- Lawnmower: Push mowers are great for small lawns, while a ride-on tractor is better for large ones.
- String trimmer: Use a string trimmer for the edges of the lawn. Electric, battery, and gas-powered options are available.
- Rake: Garden rakes are great for cleaning up leaves and debris from the lawn. For a splurge, pick up a leaf blower.
- Lawn spreader: Used to spread fertilizers, herbicides and grass seed, lawn spreaders are frequently used throughout the lawn care season.
- Hose: An indispensable tool with a myriad of uses, a high-quality hose is worth the extra cost.
- Sprinkler: Invest in a sprinkler or two (or more, depending on the size of your lawn). There are lots of types to choose from.”I can’t say one sprinkler type is better than others,” Churchill says, “but make sure to match the sprinkler to your lawn’s size and shape.”
- Aerator: You’ll want to aerate at least once a season. Consider renting one from your local hardware store.
- Protective gear: Don’t forget personal protective items like gloves, hearing protection and protective eyewear.
Prepping for Spring and Summer
In the spring, clean up debris or leaves left from the winter months, then fertilize and add pre-emergent herbicides. Thin or bare spots can be overseeded in the spring, but “if you’re seeding in the spring, seed will always emerge slower,” Churchill says, noting it may need a bit more attention as a result. Water regularly during the summer, continue weed management efforts and aerate the soil.
Seeding
Spread seed in the spring or fall, not during the summer. Always choose grass seed appropriate for your climate. Rake to loosen the soil, and spread the seed evenly with a lawn spreader. Gently rake the seeds into the soil, then water regularly to keep the seed moist but not soggy for a few weeks.
Mowing
Keep mower blades sharp by sharpening once or twice a season. Set the cutting height of your mower to between 3 to 4-in. for cool season grasses or 2 to 3-in. for warm-season grasses.
Alternatively, you can follow Cameron’s “1/3” rule, which means to only cut 1/3 of the blade off when you mow. He also recommends mulching clippings instead of bagging them to return nutrients to the soil.
Watering
Aim to water approximately twice a week, preferably in the morning. “Try to stay away from watering during the midday when ambient temps are hot, and it may be windy,” Churchill says. Aim to give your lawn 1 to 1 1/2-inches of water per week, but know that this amount can be adjusted. “There are many factors that determine if and when your lawn needs water,” Churchill says, including daytime temperatures, lawngrass types and recent rainfall amounts.
Fertilizer
Pick the right fertilizer for your lawn type, then spread it evenly with a lawn spreader. In cooler climates, fertilize in the spring and fall. In warmer climates, add fertilizer in the late spring or summer. Always read the directions and follow them carefully. Overfertilizing can kill your lawn or lead to yellow spots. Time it so you spread fertilizer right before a rain, or water thoroughly immediately after.
Crabgrass and Weeds
Regular weed management promotes a healthier lawn and helps keep weeds under control. “A strong stand of turf will compete with weeds,” says Harrington, preventing weed germination. Crabgrass, which appears in late spring or early summer, can be prevented with a pre-emergent herbicide in mid-spring. Broadleaf weeds like dandelions, clover, and chickweed should be treated with herbicide in spring. Grassy weeds are best managed by manual removal and targeted herbicides.
Brown Patches
Brown grass indicates dead grass, but identifying the cause is key to fixing it.
- Pet urine: Dilute urine spots with hose water to prevent brown patches.
- Improper watering: In dry weather, water deeply weekly.
- Fungal issues: Treat brown patches caused by fungus, which can occur from overwatering with a fungicide.
- Pests: Grubs in the soil can stress your lawn and lead to brown patches, but can be treated with grub killer.
- Lawn clippings: “Excess clippings and debris can create problems like thatch buildup or dead spotting,” Cameron says, so only mow dry grass and bag long clippings.
Once brown patches are remedied, rake dead grass and reseed in the fall.
Fall and winter maintenance
In the fall, rake and remove fallen leaves from your lawn before winter. Rent an aerator and aerate the entire lawn, which Cameron touts as one of the most important lawn care practices. Don’t forget to overseed and water in the fall as well, to help your lawn emerge healthy and strong in the spring.
About the Experts
- Joe Churchill is a Senior Turf Specialist for Reinders, a major distributor of lawn care products throughout the Midwest. Churchill is certified in Turf Management and has over 25 years of experience in the turfgrass industry.
- Tylor Harrington is the owner and operator of Berkshire Turfgrass Specialists. He has a degree in Turfgrass Management from University of Massachusetts Stockbridge School of Agriculture. He worked grounds keeping in professional sports (mostly baseball) before moving back home to Dalton, Massachusetts to open his business.
- Matt Cameron is the owner of CMS Landscaping, a full-service lawn care and irrigation company in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Matt has 15 years of landscaping experience.
The post Lawn Care Playbook: How To Supercharge Your Yard This Season appeared first on Family Handyman.
For top-notch cleaning services, look no further than mj cleaning services, where quality and customer satisfaction are our top priorities. Whether you're in need of a one-time cleaning or ongoing maintenance, m j cleaning services offers a wide range of options to suit your requirements. With a reputation for excellence, m.j. cleaning services delivers professional and reliable cleaning solutions to ensure your home or office stays pristine and welcoming.
Post Comment
No comments