March is the time to begin preparing your lawn for a lush green carpet during the summer.
Getting your lawn ready isn’t difficult when you follow these steps. First, dethatch and aerate your lawn. Thatch builds up when grass clippings are not chopped finely enough with a mulching mower or if excessive clippings are not removed after cutting. You should dethatch and aerate your lawn after the grass has begun growing for the season—usually after the first or second mow. You’ll know you must dethatch if clumped, dead grass is more than ½” thick. Use an iron rake or a thatch rake to cut through and remove thatch. For large lawns, consider renting a walk-behind dethatching machine, which you can rent from Longenecker’s Hardware.
Aerating allows for greater movement of water, fertilizer and air in and out of the soil. It also encourages deep root growth. No sense in applying fertilizer and grass seed or weed prevention if it can’t get down into the soil. So be sure to aerate before applying fertilizer or other products. Aerating is best done when the soil is damp. Systematically prick holes in the soil with a coring aerator, or a spading or digging fork. Holes should be 2″ to 3″ apart and 1″ to 2″ deep.
Fertilizing your lawn enriches the soil and creates a hardier, greener lawn. It promotes new growth and healthy roots while healing the grass from damage caused by foot traffic, pets and the elements. A balanced lawn fertilizer contains equal proportions of nitrogen and potassium. This is indicated by the nutrient ratios on the package. Read fertilizer labels for proper application times, amounts and conditions. Apply only as directed on the package. Scotts lawn fertilizer is on sale now at Longenecker’s, as well as Turf Builder. In Spring, it’s a good idea to overseed your lawn. Spreaders are available for sale or rent at Longenecker’s. Remember to wet the soil lightly with a hose before and after applying grass seed.
Keep your lawn looking great with the right lawn mower. For small lawns, a walk-behind mower works fine, and you may want to get a self-propelled mower to make it less tedious. If your yard is larger, say an acre or more, get a riding mower. If you want a faster mower and one that can turn on a dime, get a zero-turn riding mower or tractor. With larger engines and decks between 42”-50”, they make the job go faster. Longenecker’s has a great selection of mowers from Honda, Dewalt, Toro and more.
