The days are becoming longer; the weather is getting warmer; you can feel it – spring is in the air! And, like most homeowners, this means you’re likely getting ready to do some indoor spring cleaning. But don’t forget about the outdoors!
Lawns often get neglected during the winter, and spring is the perfect time to give them the attention they need. Proper lawn maintenance doesn’t just look nice – it adds curb appeal to your home, which means it adds value in the form of equity. By taking a weekend to do these simple tasks to prep your lawn for spring, you’ll be investing in the future value of your home.
Tip 1: Don’t Start Too Early
While the hint of springtime can lead many to jump full swing into yard work, try and hold off a bit. Along with the likelihood of colder weather to linger, grass can be extra vulnerable in the early spring, which is why the experts at The Spruce recommend waiting to do any yard work until your grass begins to green up, which signifies the grass roots are firmly rooted and the plants are actively growing.
Tip 2: Clean Up
Before you begin prepping your lawn for the warmer months, do some proper clean up so fertilizers and new seeds can be absorbed completely by your lawn. Debris (leaves and twigs, for example) that blew into your yard over the winter months should be raked up, or, if you have one, cleaned up with an air blower.
Tip 3: Seed Bare Spots
Depending on the climate of where you live, early spring is typically the best time of year for reseeding, so use this time to lay down new seed wherever your grass is sparse.
Tip 4: Apply Fertilizer and Weed Killer
Early spring is the perfect time to treat your yard with fertilizer and any weed killer. This helps prevent crabgrass and fosters strong grass growth. Keep in mind that this isn’t just a once a year task, however, and will require regular upkeep (about every 6 weeks or so) to ward off weeds and maintain your lawn’s health.
Tip 5: Lay Down Mulch
Once you’ve cleaned up your yard and flower beds, you can apply a 2 – 3 inch layer of mulch around the base of plants, trees and shrubs. Mulch not only adds curb appeal, but also helps to maintain soil moisture and deter weeds.
Tip 6: Check Your Lawn Mower
While your grass may not need mowing quite yet, use the early spring time to check your lawn mower’s blades. If they’re dull, you’ll want to either have them sharpened or replace them before you begin using the mower regularly.
Tip 7: Water Regularly
Now that the sun will shine longer, your yard needs to be watered regularly to keep it healthy and avoid it drying out. Grass typically needs about an inch of water per week, so be sure it’s getting the right amount of water regularly, whether that’s from rain, the hose, your sprinkler, or irrigation system.
Pro Tip: The lawn experts at Home Depot recommend a fast way to test whether your lawn needs watering or not by stepping on and off your grass to see how fast the blades bounce back. If the blades are slow to bounce back or are wilted, curled or dull in color, it may be time to water.
After spending a weekend or two cleaning up your yard and preparing it for the warmer weather, you’ll be able to enjoy it more in the spring and summer months, along with the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing you’ve just invested in your home’s curb appeal and future value.