Late Winter/Early Spring Yard Clean-up
With the official arrival of spring just a few weeks away and occasional warmer temps greeting us up in the Northeast, we’re ready to awaken from hibernation and get outside! What we discover under the melted snow in our yards can be discouraging, however. March weather can be unpredictable, but it’s also a great time to do some early spring yard clean up. Use these warmer days to take a walk around your yard and take stock of any damage the cold and snow left behind.
4 Things You Can Do for Your Lawn NOW to Prepare for Spring
Pick up Twigs, Sticks, Branches, and Any Debris Blown Into Your Yard.
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Storms can bring in all kinds of debris over the winter months. Make sure you remove large objects from your yard so there’s no danger of chipping your blade on your first mow of the season.
Remove Any Leftover Pet Waste and Check for Urine Burn Spots.
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If you live in a snowy area, your pet might be using the same areas over and over again to relieve themselves. This concentration of waste can cause an imbalance that harms the grass. Make note of areas that look stressed beyond the usual winter dormancy and make a plan to treat them when the weather warms up! Spotless Lawn is great for repairing and protecting against future dog urine burns.
Rake.
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Leaves and dead foliage can smother your grass and foster fungus and other disease, so if there are fall leaves hidden under the snow you’ll want to rake them up as soon as you can. (If you have a compost pile, you can put leaves there. Or if you have a vegetable garden, leaves make for great weed control if you can’t get your hands on straw or hay!) Even if your lawn has no leaves on it, it’s a good idea to gently rake the grass to allow oxygen and sunlight to reach the soil and help get rid of or prevent snow-mold. Raking early can also help prevent thatch build-up (click here for more info on thatch).
Repair Dead Turf.
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Identify any turf that’s been damaged by road salt, tires, or snow plows. Repair any shallow ruts and re-seed as soon as temperatures allow to prevent weeds from settling in. A good dose of Super Humic Acid will help with both salt remediation and seed germination.
By taking the time now to evaluate your lawn’s needs, you’ll be better prepared to move forward with your 2022 Lawn Care Plan when the weather finally breaks.
