How to Prepare Your Lawn for Spring: A Handy Guide

Spring is the perfect time to give your lawn some TLC and get it ready for the warmer months ahead. A well-maintained lawn can enhance the curb appeal of your home, provide a relaxing outdoor space, and even increase the value of your property. But how do you take care of your lawn in spring? What are the best lawn care tasks for spring to ensure your grass is green and healthy?

In this article, we will answer these questions and more. We will share with you the essential lawn care tasks for spring that you can do yourself or hire a professional lawn care service like Handy Andy Lawn Care to do for you. We will also give you some tips and tricks to make your lawn care easier and more effective. By following this spring lawn care checklist, you will have a beautiful lawn that you can enjoy all summer long.

Key Takeaways

• The main lawn care tasks for spring are aerating, fertilising, weeding, and mowing your lawn.
• Aerating your lawn helps to loosen the soil, improve drainage, and allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass.
• Fertilising your lawn provides essential nutrients for your grass to grow strong and healthy. You should use a slow-release fertiliser that is suitable for your grass type and soil condition.
• Weeding your lawn prevents unwanted plants from competing with your grass for space, light, water, and nutrients. You should remove weeds by hand or use a selective herbicide that targets only the weeds and not the grass.
• Mowing your lawn keeps your grass at the optimal height and encourages it to spread and thicken. You should mow your lawn regularly, but not too short or too often, as this can stress your grass and make it more prone to diseases and pests.

How to Aerate Your Lawn in Spring

Aerating your lawn is one of the most important lawn care tasks for spring. Aeration is the process of making small holes in the soil to loosen it and improve drainage. This allows air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass, which helps them to grow deeper and stronger. Aeration also reduces soil compaction, which can prevent your grass from getting enough oxygen and water, and cause it to become thin and weak.

To aerate your lawn in spring, you will need a lawn aerator, which is a tool that removes small plugs of soil from the ground. You can buy or rent a lawn aerator from your local hardware store or garden centre, or you can hire a professional lawn care service like Handy Andy Lawn Care to do it for you. Here are the steps to follow to aerate your lawn in spring:

• Choose a day when the soil is moist but not wet, as this will make the aeration easier and more effective. You can water your lawn the day before or wait for a rainy day.
• Mark any sprinkler heads, pipes, cables, or other underground objects that you want to avoid with the lawn aerator.
• Start from one corner of your lawn and work your way across in straight lines, overlapping slightly with each pass. Make sure to cover the entire lawn area and avoid any obstacles.
• Remove the plugs of soil from the lawn aerator and dispose of them in a compost bin or a garden bed. Do not leave them on the lawn, as they can smother your grass and create uneven patches.
• Water your lawn thoroughly after aeration to help the soil settle and the grass recover.

You should aerate your lawn once a year in spring, preferably before you fertilise your lawn. Aeration will help your lawn absorb the fertiliser better and make it more effective.

How to Fertilise Your Lawn in Spring

Fertilising your lawn is another essential lawn care task for spring. Fertiliser provides your grass with the nutrients it needs to grow strong and healthy. Fertiliser also helps your grass to recover from the stress of winter and to resist diseases and pests. Fertiliser can also improve the colour and appearance of your lawn, making it more green and lush.

To fertilise your lawn in spring, you will need a fertiliser that is suitable for your grass type and soil condition. You can use a soil test kit to determine the pH and nutrient levels of your soil, or you can consult a professional lawn care service like Handy Andy Lawn Care for advice. You will also need a spreader, which is a tool that distributes the fertiliser evenly over your lawn. You can buy or rent a spreader from your local hardware store or garden centre, or you can hire a professional lawn care service like Handy Andy Lawn Care to do it for you. Here are the steps to follow to fertilise your lawn in spring:

• Choose a day when the soil is moist but not wet, as this will help the fertiliser to dissolve and penetrate the soil. You can water your lawn the day before or wait for a rainy day.
• Fill the spreader with the fertiliser according to the instructions on the label. Make sure to use the right amount of fertiliser for your lawn size and grass type. Too much fertiliser can burn your grass and harm the environment, while too little fertiliser can make your grass weak and pale.
• Start from one corner of your lawn and work your way across in straight lines, overlapping slightly with each pass. Make sure to cover the entire lawn area and avoid any obstacles.
• Water your lawn lightly after fertilising to help the fertiliser dissolve and reach the roots of your grass. Do not water your lawn too much, as this can wash away the fertiliser and reduce its effectiveness.

You should fertilise your lawn once or twice a year in spring, depending on your grass type and soil condition. Fertilising your lawn in spring will help your grass to grow faster and thicker, and to prepare for the summer heat.

How to Weed Your Lawn in Spring

Weeding your lawn is another important lawn care task for spring. Weeds are unwanted plants that grow in your lawn and compete with your grass for space, light, water, and nutrients. Weeds can also harbour diseases and pests that can harm your grass. Weeds can also ruin the look of your lawn, making it uneven and patchy.

To weed your lawn in spring, you have two options: manual weeding or chemical weeding. Manual weeding is the process of removing weeds by hand or with a tool, while chemical weeding is the process of using a herbicide to kill weeds. Here are the pros and cons of each option:

To weed your lawn in spring, you can choose either manual weeding or chemical weeding, or a combination of both, depending on your preference, budget, and lawn condition. Here are the steps to follow for each option:

• Manual Weeding:
  • Choose a day when the soil is moist but not wet, as this will make the weeding easier and more effective. You can water your lawn the day before or wait for a rainy day.
  • Identify the weeds in your lawn and learn how to recognise them. You can use a weed identification guide or app, or you can consult a professional lawn care service like Handy Andy Lawn Care for help.
  • Use a weeding tool, such as a hoe, a fork, or a trowel, to dig out the weeds from the root. Make sure to remove the entire root and any seeds or runners, as some weeds can regrow from these parts. You can also use your hands to pull out the weeds, but make sure to wear gloves to protect your skin from thorns or irritants.
  • Dispose of the weeds in a compost bin or a garden bag. Do not leave them on the lawn, as they can reseed and spread. Do not put them in a regular bin, as they can contaminate the landfill and cause environmental problems – Chemical Weeding:
  • Choose a day when the weather is dry and calm, as this will prevent the herbicide from drifting or washing away. Avoid windy or rainy days, as this can reduce the effectiveness of the herbicide and cause damage to your grass and other plants.
  • Choose a herbicide that is suitable for your lawn type and weed problem. You can use a selective herbicide that targets only the weeds and not the grass, or a non-selective herbicide that kills all plants. You can also use an organic herbicide that is made from natural ingredients, such as vinegar or salt. You can buy a herbicide from your local hardware store or garden centre, or you can consult a professional lawn care service like Handy Andy Lawn Care for advice.
  • Read the instructions on the label carefully and follow them exactly. Make sure to use the right amount and method of application for your lawn size and weed problem. Too much herbicide can harm your grass and the environment, while too little herbicide can make the weeds resistant and harder to kill.
  • Use a sprayer, which is a tool that sprays the herbicide over your lawn. You can buy or rent a sprayer from your local hardware store or garden centre, or you can hire a professional lawn care service like Handy Andy Lawn Care to do it for you. Make sure to wear protective gear, such as gloves, goggles, and a mask, to avoid contact with the herbicide.
  • Start from one corner of your lawn and work your way across in straight lines, overlapping slightly with each pass. Make sure to cover the entire lawn area and avoid any obstacles. Do not spray the herbicide on your grass or other plants, as this can damage or kill them. Do not spray the herbicide on a windy day, as this can cause the herbicide to drift and affect other areas.
  • Water your lawn lightly after weeding to help the grass recover and the herbicide break down. Do not water your lawn too much, as this can dilute the herbicide and reduce its effectiveness.

You should weed your lawn as soon as you see any weeds in spring, as this will prevent them from spreading and becoming harder to control. Weeding your lawn in spring will help your grass to grow thicker and healthier, and to prevent future weed problems.

How to Mow Your Lawn in Spring

Mowing your lawn is another vital lawn care task for spring. Mowing your lawn keeps your grass at the optimal height and encourages it to spread and thicken. Mowing your lawn also removes the dead and damaged blades of grass and improves the air circulation and light penetration in your lawn. Mowing your lawn also gives your lawn a neat and tidy appearance, which can boost your home’s curb appeal.

• Choose a day when the grass is dry, as this will make the mowing easier and more effective. Avoid mowing your lawn when the grass is wet, as this can clog the mower and damage the grass.
• Set the mower blade to the right height for your grass type and season. You can use a ruler or a tape measure to check the height of your grass before and after mowing. The general rule is to mow your lawn to about one-third of its original height, or about 2 to 3 inches. You can adjust the height of the mower blade by using a lever or a knob on the mower. Do not mow your lawn too short or too often, as this can stress your grass and make it more prone to diseases and pests.
• Start from one corner of your lawn and work your way across in straight lines, overlapping slightly with each pass. Make sure to cover the entire lawn area and avoid any obstacles. Do not mow your lawn in the same direction every time, as this can cause the grass to lean and grow unevenly. Change the direction of your mowing every time, such as from north to south, then from east to west, then from diagonal to diagonal.
• Dispose of the grass clippings in a compost bin or a garden bag. Do not leave them on the lawn, as they can smother your grass and create thatch. Do not put them in a regular bin, as they can decompose and produce methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

You should mow your lawn regularly in spring, about once a week or every 10 days, depending on the growth rate of your grass. Mowing your lawn in spring will help your grass to stay healthy and attractive, and to prepare for the summer heat.

Conclusion

Spring is the best time to take care of your lawn and get it ready for the warmer months ahead. By following these four essential lawn care tasks for spring, you can ensure your grass is green and healthy, and your lawn is beautiful and inviting. You can do these lawn care tasks yourself, or you can hire a professional lawn care service like Handy Andy Lawn Care to do them for you. Either way, you will enjoy the benefits of having a well-maintained lawn that you can be proud of.

If you need any help or advice on lawn care, feel free to contact Handy Andy Lawn Care today. We are a reliable and affordable lawn care service that offers a range of services, such as aeration, fertilisation, weeding, mowing, and more. We have the experience and the equipment to handle any lawn care challenge, and we guarantee your satisfaction. Contact us today and get a free quote for your lawn care needs. Handy Andy Lawn Care – your lawn’s best friend.-