Spring is nearly here. While spring means outdoor fun, longer days, better weather, and rainy afternoons, it also means you need to prepare your yard if you want it to look healthy and green all summer. When the snow melts and the sun comes out, you need to act fast in order to get the most out of your lawn. Even if you don’t live somewhere snowy, as the weather warms up you need to act quickly. So what can you do to prepare your yard? Here are a few tips that are sure to help. And for more help, be sure to call a professional company for landscaping in Reno, NV.
Declutter and Clean
The first thing you need to do is declutter and clean your lawn. Winter has a way of messing up even the best yards. From fallen branches to road salt that has collected near the curb, it’s important to get every bit of debris out of your yard as soon as you can. Dirt and debris can leave brown or dead spots on your grass, interfere with sprinkler systems, and (in the case of salt) kill your plants. Plus, a clean yard will allow flowers and grass to grow uninhibited.
Check Your Sprinkling System
Once your yard is clean, you should check your sprinkling system. Cold weather usually means frozen pipes, and frozen pipes can crack and shatter. Even if it hasn’t been snowing all winter, cold temperatures and shifting soil can damage sprinkler systems. Failing to fix a problem can lead to leaks and floods, problems that can cost thousands to fix. It’s relatively easy to fix a problem when your lawn is clear from debris but before your garden and grass is bright and healthy later in the year.
Add Seed and Fertilize
Add grass seed and fertilizer once your yard is clean and free of debris. Most landscaping companies in Reno can suggest a type of fertilizer that will work for your specific species of grass. A mix of grass seed and fertilizer will help fill in any dead or sparse areas on your lawn and allow it to grow thick and full later in the year.
Begin Watering
After the snow has melted and your grass has dried out, start watering. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t water like you do in the summer. Cool temperatures and seasonal rain, along with constant watering, can lead to mold growth. Only water when your grass needs it, and water deeply when you do so. Mold can completely destroy your lawn, so it’s better to err on the side of underwatering than overwatering (since Mother Nature will usually make up the difference).
Tune Up Your Mower
Get your mower tuned up. If you use a Reno landscaping company for lawn maintenance, you won’t need to worry about this. But if you do it yourself, make sure you tune your mower before you use it. A well-tuned mower will cut better and more efficiently.
When you do begin to mow, make sure you cut the grass high. The longer you keep the grass, the thicker and stronger the roots will become. And during the spring, when new grass starts growing and the old grass reawakens, you need to focus on building root strength.