After a Kansas City winter like no other in recent times, homeowners’ “get out and grow” spring determination is striking earlier than ever before. Would-be green thumbs long to put away snow shovels and get to work reviving formerly lush lawns! We’re happy to say, the wait is almost over! There’s no better time than the present to examine your own yard’s specific needs and put together a plan of action for the upcoming season. That’s why Heinen has developed five surefire tips to ready your lawn for spring!
1. Survey Your Property
The harsh effects of winter’s icy chill have inevitably invaded your landscape – resulting in potential outdoor-property damage and much-needed special attention. The first step to outdoor rejuvenation is taking a thorough analysis of your site’s strengths and weaknesses – including soil quality, sun and shade areas, and uneven surfaces such as hills and slopes that may cause irrigation and flooding issues when spring arrives.
Also, take particular note of any dead spots in your turf, unwanted undergrowth in your landscape, hard-to-grow lawn areas – often under large trees, and eroding slopes, and also heavy shade zones. Each landscape has unique features that may require special maintenance; by surveying your property early, you can prioritize your most crucial lawn issues and address them first – putting you ahead of the curve for spring and summer outdoor satisfaction!
2. Declutter and Eliminate Debris
Your landscape is a living ecosystem, and all parts of the system must be healthy for the full area to flourish. Lawn dethatching – the process of removing decaying plant material from your turf – allows for soil and plants to better absorb essential nutrients and irrigation more effectively. Dethatching also ensures increased lawn strength by eliminating old grass clippings and a web of matted undergrowth, it also promotes better drainage against heavy springtime showers. Be sure to rake lightly and clear out remaining leaves and matted grass patches – removing dead grass blades from the previous seasons to boost landscape airflow.
3. Prevent Weed Growth
Along with beautiful new grass growth, crabgrass also likes the change in temperature and spring’s increased sunlight. You can prevent crabgrass and other unwanted weeds in your lawn by applying a pre-emergent herbicide as the weather begins to warm. Timing is critical to assure preemergence applications are successful in springtime weed prevention. To be most effective, apply preemergence to your lawn when the soil temperature has reached between 50-55 degrees for five consecutive days.
Hate weeding? Start mulching. Mulch can reduce or eliminate weeds that compete with landscape plants for moisture, nutrients, and sunlight. Think of mulch as sunblock for plant roots. Just two to four inches of mulch around the base of your trees can substantially retain soil, moisture, slow evaporation, and protect roots from overheating. Don’t start too early, though – begin the mulching process as the spring season arrives to avoid potential freezing.
4. Overseed Bare Patches
Improve your lawn’s density and color by planting grass seed into those patchy, bare spots brought on by winter’s unforgiving chill. Seeding will remedy existing soil damage and prepare your lawn for optimal growth. Ensure healthy seed growth by watering lightly and frequently to maintain moisture and deliver oxygen. Consider adding new topsoil for any hard-to-grow patches of your lawn, especially if your yard has heavy clay content.
5. Prepare Your Sprinkler Systems
One of the most critical factors for a lush lawn and landscape is proper irrigation. If you have an automatic underground sprinkler system, restart the system from winter mode. If you use a sprinkler and hose system, check your hoses and sprinklers for any damage that may have occurred over the cold winter – harsh temperatures can damage or crack vinyl hoses.
The primary factor in maximizing landscape health is keeping the new seed efficiently and consistently hydrated. It may be pouring rain in Fairway, Mission Hills, Roeland Park, or Old Leawood, but your lawn in Brookside might need a cool drink of water. Automatic sprinkler systems offer the convenience of specific on and off cycles. Precision sprinkler heads may be calibrated for every zone of your property – applying heavier watering near trees, lighter irrigation in the heavy runoff, or areas with a steep slope. Newer irrigation control systems – such as Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controllers – deliver the exact amount of irrigation needed based on each zone’s specific qualities.
Ready to Restore Your Lawn?
Even if warmer weather still seems miles away, preparation today will certainly reap notable spring benefits. If you find you need assistance restoring your landscape, need service for your irrigation system, or need an all-new irrigation system – you can count on the Turf and Irrigation Pros at Heinen to ensure your property is primed for springtime success.
And, since Kansas City winters offer several warm days (between bouts of bitter cold!), and if you have flexibility in the timing of your irrigation system installation, Heinen can often provide a discount when booking your irrigation this winter. Contact Debbie at Heinen today at (913) 432-5011 for a no-obligation estimate – and be sure to mention this article for savings!