Preparing Your Lawn For That Lush Green Look

What's the first thing people see when they pull up to your home? It's your lawn.  A healthy green lawn can make all the difference when it comes to good front yard first impressions.  Spring is here, so lets get to work.

Fertilize

Many grasses including Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and fescues like to be fertilized twice during the offseason.  They like a boost of nitrogen early on and then another meal high in phosphorous later in the season.  Of course this depends on the climate where you live.  More southern grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia go dormant in the winter and won't take in any fertilizer.  The best way to prepare your lawn is find out what your grass needs.  Consider getting a soil test.

Fill In the Patches

The winter can be an excellent time to put down new grass seed.  The seeds won't take if the ground is completely frozen though.  If you live somewhere cold then save your seed for the first thaw.  If not then consider planting something that germinates quickly like perennial ryegrass.  You can also "overseed".  That's when you put extra grass seed on top of an otherwise healthy lawn.  This adds an extra boost. If you don't have time in the winter to seed then now, early spring, you can put down new grass seed too, just don't forget to water good if there is no rain.

Keep The Leaves Off

Raking leaves is an autumn activity right?  Usually yes, but more leaves and debris might sneak onto your lawn later in the season or beginning spring.  Keep them off.  dead leaves make a good fertilizer if they're chopped up in little bits, but whole leaves can suffocate a good front yard.  Keep your lawn clear of leaves and let it breathe.  They can cause moisture to linger and promote mold.

Aerate

Make sure your grass is getting enough oxygen and water.  You can ensure this by poking little holes all over the lawn with a pitchfork or rent a machine that can aerate also for you.  This allows the air and water to get into the root zone.  You can also buy commercial aerators designed exactly for this.  You can even get aerating shoes!

Kill The Weeds

Now is a great time to get rid of those pesky weeds.  If you want to really prepare your lawn for spring, then you should apply a general weed killer to your lawn in fall and winter.   After all, the weeds are weaker in the offseason. Carfentrazone is an excellent chemical that works well in colder temperatures.  But if you missed doing this in the fall, jump start your Spring and now is the time to start the weed and feed to your lawn to kill those pesky weeds.

Just because the grass did not get properly maintained in the winter, it is never too late to start.  Just fertilize with the weed and feed, lay down some new grass seed, keep the leaves and weeds at bay. Start now!  That way you'll be doing everything you can for your grass and your home and its curb appeal.

For more information about real estate in the Louisville, Oldham, Shelbyville, Bullitt county areas,  contact me, Karen Rodriguez, at 502-643-2255 or email soldbyk@gmail.com. Years of Experience, Experience the Difference!