Spring lawn care is all about getting your yard prepared for the months ahead. The work that we put into our lawn now will pay off in the summer and fall. When it comes to spring lawn care you want to focus on building the strength of your turf. A strong, thick turf is the best defense against lawn diseases, pests, and even drought. To help you on your lawncare journey, we have made a list of the most important areas to focus on to ensure your yard is strong, lush, and most importantly, weed-free.
Lawn Fertilization
As we mentioned before, the secret to a weed-free lawn is by keeping it healthy. One of the most important ways to do that is through lawn fertilization. There are many choices of fertilizer to choose from but if you don’t know what you need you could be doing a disservice to your lawn. A soil test can tell you a fountain of information about the contents of your soil and what it needs. One thing a soil test will tell you is your soil’s pH balance. A pH balance under 7.0 is considered acidic, while a 7.0 or higher is considered alkaline. Most plants in Tennessee prefer soil with a pH balance between 6.5 and 7.0. When your soil pH is out of balance it becomes harder for plants to take up nutrients which can lead to decline or stunted growth. Without getting a soil test first you could be wasting money on expensive fertilizers that aren’t doing their job.
Lawn Aeration
Does your Tennessee lawn look tired and fatigued? Does it not look as green and vibrant as it once did? There are many causes for grass to look thin and weak but one of the most overlooked reasons is soil compaction. Our soils become compacted over time from frequent use and from thatch buildup on the soil. When soils are too hard it can prevent water, fertilizers, and even air from penetrating to the roots. This causes your grass to appear as if it is suffering from a drought or malnourishment.
Lawn aeration is a process that can alleviate the stress caused by compact soils. Core aeration is the process of creating uniform holes in your lawn to redistribute your soil. This is done by a specialized machine that extracts tiny plugs of sod. This allows fertilizer, water, and air to flow back into the soil allowing for better root growth.
Here are some signs your lawn needs to be aerated:
- Stressed or thinning grass
- Shallow rooting of shrubs and trees
- Water not soaking in
- Water pooling in low areas
- Cannot penetrate soil with a shovel
Grub Control
Every homeowner fears the word “grub” and for good reason. Grubs cost homeowners more in lawn repairs than any other lawn pest in America. Grub or grubs are a common term for the larvae of June bugs and Japanese beetles. It is not uncommon to come across these small curly white worms while you are planting your garden. Having a few of them in your yard or garden is ok but when there are too many, it can be devastating for your lawn. When grubs hatch in the spring they immediately start to feed on the roots of your grass. This can lead to large patches of grass turning brown and dying. The presence of grubs attracts wildlife such as birds, skunks, and moles, which can cause even more damage to your lawn. Grub control products can cost you thousands of dollars a year and the results are spotty.
Lawn Disease Control
Springtime is the time when most lawn diseases start to rear their ugly heads. Lawn diseases such as dollar spot, snow mold, or brown patch can ruin the look of your lawn and even kill your grass. Most lawn diseases in Tennessee are caused by two factors; moisture and temperature. As nighttime temperatures and humidity rise, it creates the perfect environment for lawn diseases to thrive. To control lawn diseases it is important to remember not to water your lawn too frequently or too late in the day. Alter your watering schedule to the early morning so your grass has time to dry out. A dry lawn is a happy lawn.
Weed Control
To make sure that your lawn is strong and healthy you need to make sure to have a weed control strategy. Weeds growfaster than our grass so we need to make sure that weeds are eliminated before our grass starts to grow. This will allow our grass to grow nice and thick which will prevent future weeds from taking root. The most effective spring weed control method is the application of pre-emergent herbicides. These products are designed to coat the seeds of weeds before they germinate and prevent them from being able to do so.
What lawn care service is best for your yard?
When choosing the right lawn care service for your lawn care needs, look for a company that gives you the most for your money. Support local small businesses, they usually have built a solid reputation in their community and know the area and the lawns.
Environmentally friendly lawn care
The best type of lawn care service is one that is conscious of the environment and their impact on it. At Emerald Island, we offer environmentally friendly lawn care services to our community to make sure it continues to look beautiful for years to come.
Contact Emerald Island
The lawn care pros at Emerald Island have been serving the lawns and community of Knoxville, Tennessee for years. We know the landscape better than anyone and we know the people. When you sign up with us we will help craft the best lawn care plan for your lawn. Our environmentally friendly lawn care program is designed to naturally boost the strength and resistance of your grass without causing harm to the environment.
Our services don’t end there. We also offer top-notch tree and shrub care programs as well as a comprehensive mosquito control program so you can enjoy your outdoor spaces in peace.
Give us a call at 865-588-4497 for more information. You can also request an easy quote here.