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As the seasons change, so do the needs of your lawn. Proper seasonal care is essential for maintaining a lush, green lawn year-round. In this blog post, we'll guide you through the specific tasks and considerations for each season, ensuring your lawn stays healthy and vibrant.
Spring: Revitalize and Prep
As the winter chill fades away, spring brings a burst of life to your lawn. It's time to kickstart the growing season and revitalize your yard.
Task 1: Clear Debris
Begin by clearing any debris that may have accumulated over the winter – fallen leaves, branches, or other clutter. This allows sunlight to reach the grass and promotes healthy growth.
Dethatch/Tine Rake the lawn to get rid of that thach layer that builds up over time. Aerate the soil to ensure proper water and nutrient absorption. This helps to prevent compaction and promotes a healthy root system. I recommend aerating at least once per year, so if you skipped out last fall, I would advise you to get it done in the coming spring time.
Task 3: Fertilize
Apply a balanced fertilizer to give your grass the nutrients it needs for a vigorous start. Choose a fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content to encourage lush, green growth.
Summer: Hydrate and Protect
With the heat of summer, your lawn requires extra care to stay hydrated and protected from the elements.
Task 1: Watering Proper
Watering is crucial during the hot summer months. Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth. Early morning or late evening is the best time to water, minimizing water loss to evaporation.
Task 2: Mowing Practices
Adjust your mower height to a higher setting during summer. Taller grass shades the soil, reducing water evaporation and preventing weed growth.
Task 3: Address Pests and Weeds
Keep an eye out for pests and weeds. Addressing these issues promptly prevents them from wreaking havoc on your lawn.
Fall: Prepare for Dormancy
As temperatures cool down, your lawn prepares for dormancy. Fall is the time to strengthen the grass for the coming winter.
Task 1: Rake Leaves
Falling leaves can smother your lawn if left unattended. Rake and remove them to prevent mold and disease.
Task 2: Aerate & Overseeding
Consider aerating & overseeding to fill in any bare spots and promote a denser lawn. Choose a high quality grass seed variety suitable for your region. For us here in Wisconsin, Turf Type Tall Fescue, Kentucky Blue Grass & Perennial Rye Grass are all great options. Do not go to a big box store to buy seed. Their seed is mostly filler product and low quality seed mixed in with other crop seed and weed seed. Go to a local landscape supply company and buy a bag of seed with no weed seed, no crop seed and no intern matter.
Task 3: Fertilize Again
Apply a fall-specific fertilizer to fortify your grass for the winter. This typically has a higher phosphorus content to promote root development.
Before & After Photos of Aeration & Overseeding 6 weeks apart with Blue Envy Kentucky Blue Grass Seed from Twin Cities Seed Company. If you look over to the right side of the first picture, you will notice how there are ruts from tire marks due to getting some work done in the back yard. This caused the lawn to have major compaction issues on that side which resulted in the lawn dying off. We set the seed hopper to put down 5lbs per 1k sqft and did a single pass aeration on the left side of the driveway and a multi pass aeration on the right side due to that compaction. The before and after photos speak for themselves, what an amazing turn around in just 6 weeks.
Winter: Minimal Maintenance
During winter, your lawn is in a state of dormancy. While maintenance is minimal, a few tasks can set the stage for a healthy spring revival.
Task 1: Avoid Walking on Frozen Grass
Walking on frozen grass can cause damage. Minimize foot traffic to prevent compaction and maintain a healthy turf.
Task 2: Snow Removal Care
If you experience snowfall, be cautious during snow removal. Use gentle methods to avoid damaging the grass underneath. I would recommend using snow blowers and shovels vs a plow truck that can cause lots of damage to the lawn. Also, I would avoid applying any salt to the driveway as this is seep off over time and get into the lawn causing chemical burn.
By following these seasonal lawn care tips, you can ensure that your yard remains healthy and vibrant throughout the year. Each season presents unique challenges and opportunities for nurturing your lawn, ultimately contributing to a beautiful outdoor space for you and your family to enjoy. So, gear up and let your lawn flourish with the changing seasons!
Thank you for your time and hope this helps you out!
Blake Zins
St. Croix Lawn Maintenance - River Falls, Wi
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