Did you know that scheduled grass cutting does more for your lawn than infrequent mowing? Cutting your grass weekly helps promote healthy root growth.
Grass-cutting is an integral part of landscaping. You need to know how to maintain your lawn after the cold season.
We’ll discuss the various steps needed to prepare for grass-cutting. Keep reading to learn more from our spring lawn prep guide below!
Rake the Lawn
A handy tip is to avoid yard cleanup until the spring thaw so you don’t damage the grass. Also, avoid raking while it’s wet or muddy out. You’re more likely to rip up healthy grass this way.
Once the thaw has arrived, use a spring tine rake to remove large clumps and thatch.
Thatch is a matted layer of dead leaves, roots, and grass blades that forms between the soil and living grass. This “carpet” prevents water and air from reaching grass roots.
Fertilize Your Grass
Don’t fertilize your grass until three weeks into the spring season. If you apply it too soon, you run the risk of the winter thaw carrying the fertilizer off. Here are a few tips for fertilizing your grass:
- Water your lawn a few days before applying fertilizer
- This is so you don’t burn the roots
- Use fertilizer with a crabgrass preventer if you have crabgrass
- Use a spreader to distribute the fertilizer evenly
- It helps to walk back and forth
The most important tip for preparing your yard is to read the instructions. The manufacturers will know what’s best for your grass. While we’re on the subject, ensure you get the right fertilizer for your lawn.
Seed and Lime As Needed
The third step in this landscaping checklist is regrowing any bald spots you may have gotten during winter. Early spring and fall are the best times to reseed.
Checking the soil pH is critical to ensuring the seeds have a healthy growing environment. Some soils are too acidic to grow certain grasses. You can check the soil pH with a home test kit.
If the soil checks out at around 5.8 to 7, you can scatter seeds in the bare spots of your yard. Lime can make soil above the “healthy growth” threshold less acidic.
Water the Yard
Grass usually needs one inch of water per week. You can accomplish this through a hose, irrigation system, or rain. Be sure to water deeply so it reaches its roots.
Try the bounce test if you’re not sure it needs watering. Step on and off your grass and watch how fast it springs back.
If it bounces back quickly, you don’t need water. A slower bounce back means you may want to hydrate. It’s best to water in the morning (before 10 a.m.) during late spring to keep the water from evaporating.
Get Ready to Mow
Once you’ve prepared your lawn, you’re ready to mow. Do a maintenance check on your mower before you begin landscaping. This involves changing the spark plugs or oil and checking the blade’s sharpness.
Consider a weekly schedule for your grass cutting. Cutting biweekly can allow the grass to grow too high and dull the blades. However, you shouldn’t cut too low.
Your mower guide may have tips on how high to set your mower for your particular grass.
Our Landscaping Services At Your Fingertips
Lawn landscaping takes a lot of work, but green, lush grass is always worth it. Hopefully, this guide will help you prepare your lawn for the first spring cutting.
Maryland Landscape Services can take care of mowing and lawn prep if you cannot. Some of the services we offer include:
- Sod installation
- Aeration service
- Drainage service
- Outdoor patio designs
You can trust us with your landscaping and hardscaping needs. Contact us today if you need landscaping services for your lawn!