Spring Lawn Care For Your Michigan Yard
When spring hits in Michigan, there’s a short period before summer comes where you have the time to care for your lawn and make it presentable! Spring lawn care usually includes ensuring your grass is properly watered, mown, fertilized, and weed-free, so that you can have a bright, inviting yard that everyone can enjoy. Take a look at these spring lawn care tips to be sure you have the best lawn on the block:
- Clear off dead leaves and debris
- Treat for weeds early
- Spread mulch
- Mow regularly
- Water as needed
- Fertilize properly
- Aerate and overseed
- Keep up the maintenance
Clear Off Dead Leaves and Debris
One of the first steps when preparing your lawn is to clear off any dead leaves that are left over from the fall. Do not try to till the leaves into your soil, as this will cause a lot of disruption for your grass. Instead, mulch them into small pieces and leave them on top of the soil. Then, they will decompose over time and provide your grass with the nutrients it needs for a healthy lawn.
Also, make sure to clear off any branches or debris that may have fallen on your lawn. Not only can this make it harder for you to mow and water your lawn evenly, but the debris can also restrict your grass’ access to light, causing patches to die off.
Treat For Weed Early
The best time to treat your lawn for weeds is in the spring. Make sure to apply pre-emergent weed control products as soon as you start seeing them popping up throughout your lawn. Otherwise, the weeds can quickly take over a yard and become difficult to get rid of if left untreated.
There are many weed killers on the market, both organic and chemical, that will do the trick. Be sure to read the instructions carefully to avoid harming your grass.
Spread Mulch
Applying mulch to your flowerbeds and part of your lawn in the spring can help protect it from the heat of summer, as well as moisture loss. Not only does this look nice, but it also helps keep your flowerbeds healthy and weed-free.
Mow Your Lawn Regularly
It’s very important to mow your lawn regularly when it’s growing in the springtime. Not only does this keep your grass looking neat and tidy, but it also helps it grow healthy and strong. Mowing too low or not often enough can damage your lawn, so be sure to find the right height and mowing schedule for your specific type of grass.
In most cases, you should mow your lawn at least once a week. Make sure to adjust the height of your mower blades depending on the grass type, though most should be mown to about 2-3 inches.
Water Your Turf In The Morning
In the springtime, your lawn will need around 1-1.5 inches of water per week to stay healthy. The best time to water your lawn in Michigan is usually in the early morning or evening when it’s cooler outside. Be sure to check the weather forecast, and don’t water your lawn if it looks like it might rain.
In general, you should water your lawn for about 30 minutes per week, using either a sprinkler or a garden hose. However, you don’t want to overwater it, as this can actually do more harm than good. If you’re unsure how much water your lawn needs, try using a rain gauge or sprinkler timer to help you keep track.
If you are using an irrigation system to water your lawn, now is the ideal time to get it up and running. For tips on how to do that, check out our guide on How to Start Up Your Sprinkler System in the Spring.
Fertilize Properly
Fertilizing your lawn in the spring is important to help it get off to a good start. Not only can it improve the overall health of your lawn, but it can also help to make it resistant to diseases and pests. But be sure to use a fertilizer that’s specifically designed for your type of grass, and follow the instructions on the label.
In many cases, we recommend buying a pH test kit to test your yard’s soil. This can help you determine if your soil is basic or alkaline and can dictate what you need to add to help your plants thrive.
Consider Aeration & Seeding
If your lawn looks thin and patchy or is not absorbing water as well as it should, you may have to aerate your lawn. Lawn aeration is the process of creating small holes in the soil, breaking up soil compaction, and allowing water, air, and nutrients to more easily reach the grassroots. This can be done with a garden fork or special aerating tool.
Aeration is commonly paired with overseeding. This is the process of scattering grass seed over an area and then lightly raking it in. Be sure to use a quality grass seed specifically designed for your type of soil and climate.
Keep Up with Maintenance
To keep your lawn looking good all summer long, it’s important to stay on top of routine maintenance tasks like mowing, edging, and weed control. Be sure to set a schedule and stick to it so that your lawn will always look its best.
Call The Professionals
Lawn care can be a little overwhelming. Not only does it take a lot of time and energy, but it also requires a certain degree of expertise. Grosse Ile Lawn Sprinkler & Fertilizing’s comprehensive lawn care program takes the stress out of having a beautiful lawn! We provide lawn care, fertilization, sprinkler repair, and more in and around the following communities: