Homeowners across the country spent an average of about $125 for rocks, mulch, and soil in 2019. They spent almost as much on plants and flowers at about $115 dollars.
A beautiful lawn and yard give your home great curb appeal and offers lots of personal enjoyment as well.
Spring is coming fast, and it’s time to prepare your lawn. Are you wondering what to do? Read this simple guide on how to prepare your lawn for spring in Atlanta
Get Rid of Debris
Atlanta’s had a lot of wind and rain this winter. It’s time to get out there and pick up all the dead leaves, branches, and anything else that’s blown into your yard.
If you have dogs, be sure to regularly remove their waste from the lawn. Contrary to popular belief, it’s doesn’t make good fertilizer. We recommend doing so before each lawn mow.
Rake the Existing Grass
Do you see any dead or dying grass? These areas of dead grass are “thatch.” Thatch suffocates new areas of growth in your grass.
Rake the grass free of leaves, debris, and thatch. Avoid raking too hard so you don’t pull out any new grass growth.
Prepare the Soil
Take a soil sample. The pH level determines the requirements for lime and nutrients in the grass.
Is the soil between 5 and 7? That’s good.
If the sample is below 5, broadcast some lime on the grass. Is the sample above 7? Add some sulfate.
Do you have a warm-season turfgrass species? Don’t apply the spring nitrogen until soil temperatures are 65 degrees on a consistent basis. Measure the temperature at a soil depth of four inches.
Aerate and Overseeding
Over time, the soil in your yard gets compacted and hard. Aeration loosens up the soil and makes absorption of water and nutrients easier.
There are several types of aerators available:
- Rolling
- Gas-powered
- Aeration shoes
Many people defer aeration and overseeding to the professionals. It definitely makes this part of the process easier.
Overseeding is planting more grass seed on your preexisting grass. It’s great for filling in any bare spots and also improves turf density.
If your lawn is old, it’s also a good way of getting a new turfgrass variety into an existing lawn. New turf varieties are more disease- and drought-resistant.
Time to Water
After overseeding, it’s time to water. Make sure you follow local Atlanta water restrictions.
When 30-50% of the lawn looks dry, apply water. Make sure you water long enough that the water goes 6-8 inches deep. That’s about one inch of water.
Watering your lawn between 9:00 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. is best. This saves water from evaporation and won’t cause disease issues.
Don’t Forget to Mow
For the first mow of the year, let the grass grow out a bit first to promote a healthy lawn. The first few mows of the season should be about once a week before you increase your mowing frequency.
During the peak growing season, mow 2-3 times per week. Keep the grass about 2 inches tall.
Now You Know How to Get Your Lawn Ready for Spring
Now that you know how to prepare your lawn for spring in Atlanta, it’s time to get out there! Get rid of debris, and rake the existing grass. Be careful not to rake too hard.
Prepare the soil, aerate, and overseed after which it’s time to water. Make sure you mow often but not too low.
Feeling overworked when it comes to your lawn care? Contact us for help!