The Grass Can Be Greener on Your Side of the Fence

If the grass on your side of the fence isn’t as green as it could be, spring is the time to make it right. With some care and attention now, your lawn will be renewed and regenerated by the time summer rolls around.

Lawn-care professionals recommend annual aeration as part of a healthy lawn maintenance routine. Aerating involves the removal of small plugs or cores of the thatch and soil, to allow water, oxygen and nutrients to penetrate the soil and reach the roots.

Aeration helps control thatch, a layer of organic matter that grows on the soil at the base of green growth. Left unchecked, thatch can slow water penetration, reduce drought tolerance and interfere with fertilization and pest control.

To check if your lawn needs to be aerated, try this simple test: push a screwdriver into the soil. If it does not insert easily, the soil is compacted and should be aerated.

Spread grass seeds on thin patches in the spring. Spread top-dressing on your lawn before seeding and after aeration to improve soil and reduce weeds. Be sure to water frequently.

To keep your lawn looking great all season long, when you cut the grass, change the cutting direction each week from lengthwise one week to crosswise to diagonal. Wait until the grass is about three inches high before cutting and then mow only about a third of the grass height, or about an inch, to ensure the roots are protected from the sun. Leave the clippings on the lawn to provide a natural fertilizer.

Source: Homeservice Club