It’s been a rough winter in many parts of the country, but spring is here at last — and that means it’s time to give your lawn a bit of TLC. Although turfgrass is highly resilient, you can help your lawn recover from winter and make sure it’s in top shape for summer with these tips from the experts at Grass Seed USA, a coalition of American grass seed farmers and turf specialists.
1. Aerify to relieve soil compaction.
If your lawn is old or heavily trafficked, or if it sat under wet snow for much of the winter, the soil may be compacted. Aerifying the turf with a core aerator (you can rent the equipment or hire a professional) can open up the soil, allowing water, nutrients and oxygen to reach the roots of the grass more easily. Aerification is recommended annually for cool-season lawns, but according to Dr. Clint Waltz of the University of Georgia, a warm-season lawn that suffered drought-induced dormancy the previous summer can also benefit from aerification in late April through mid-May.
2. Interseed for a thicker lawn.
Lawns that are sparse or have worn patches can be interseeded when the soil warms up in the spring. Dr. Aaron Patton of Purdue University says, “The earlier in the year that you seed, the more time the turf will have for root development before summer.” Be sure to use a high-quality seed that is a good match for your geographic region and your lawn’s soil type, sun exposure and irrigation patterns.
3. Watch your mowing height.
Don’t wait too long to start mowing your lawn. Scalping an overgrown lawn causes stress that can affect the grass the rest of the season, says Dr. Cale Bigelow of Purdue University. As a rule of thumb, never cut more than one-third of the grass blade height at a time. Leaving the grass a bit taller can also improve the wear tolerance of the turf, according to Geoffrey Rinehart of the University of Maryland and the U.S. National Arboretum. More leaf tissue allows the grass to better withstand foot traffic and protects the growing point at the base of the blade.
4. Grasscycle to feed your lawn naturally.
You’ll probably want to remove the grass clippings the first few times you mow, to reduce shading, but once your lawn gets going, consider “grasscycling” — simply leaving the clippings on the lawn. According to Dr. Grady Miller of North Carolina State University, “Grass clippings decompose quickly and can provide up to 25 percent of the lawn’s fertilizer needs.”
5. Fertilize — but sparingly.
Even if you’re grasscycling, you should fertilize your lawn at least twice a year (mid-May and mid-September work well in most areas). Bigelow cautions that the spring application should be sparing and should feature slow-release nitrogen fertilizer to minimize excess growth. Too much fertilizer can lead to rapid but weak growth, leaving your turf more susceptible to wear and stress.
6. Water properly.
Proper irrigation in the spring can help prevent or reduce pest problems and environmental stress later in the summer, says Miller. He recommends watering to a soil depth of 4 to 6 inches. (You can check the depth by pushing a screwdriver into the soil. If it goes in easily, the soil likely has enough moisture.) Watering deeply once or twice a week is better than frequent light waterings.
7. Take it easy.
Moss, mushrooms and other lawn pests may make an appearance in early spring, but once your grass comes out of dormancy and begins growing quickly in late spring, the hardy turfgrass will push many of these invaders out. Issues will often resolve themselves if you create the conditions that favor the grass. If infestations recur, your county extension agency can help you identify the underlying problem and provide recommendations that are specific to your region and type of grass.