Reviving Your Lawn After a Harsh Winter & Wet Spring

Keeping our lawns looking lush, colorful, and healthy can be a challenge. Each season brings its own weather issues with our lawn been exposed to a variety of elements. Heatwaves during summer can make it hard to keep a verdant lawn, while autumn leaves can threaten root systems if not addressed. The harsh winter weather, however, imposes more environmental factors on our lawns. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures can leave us with significant repair work to do in spring.

Spring is a season for revival, resurgence, and rejuvenation, which should be graciously extended to our lawns. With the last traces of winter finally disappearing, homeowners will need to glove up, dig out their lawn tools and get to sprucing up their lawns in the forthcoming months. Breathing new life into our lawns is a priority for many homeowners, so here are a few tips.

*Notice any signs of damage. Before beginning any landscaping projects, look around for signs of damage. With many communities and homeowners using rock salt to de-ice sidewalks and roads, it can have a huge negative impact on our lawns and plants. Lawns can also be damaged by mice and voles who burrow under the snow and feast on the new grass. Mold can be another foe that can weaken our tender turf.

*Remove debris. Debris will accumulate over the winter months, so running a rake over your lawn will gather the big stuff. Debris such as branches, leaves, and blown-in garbage, can prevent lawns from getting the sun and water they need to thrive. It’s important to mention that if the grass is still frozen, walking on it can cause further damage.

*Consult with a pro. As well-meaning as homeowners are, lack of lawn care experience may still tempt them to dig and pull, resulting in even more damage. Consulting a professional landscaper who can identify problem areas and share ways to correct the situation.

*Let the grass thrive. As unkempt and scruffy as our lawn is in the spring, we may be eager to mow. Mowing the lawn is a chore reserved for late spring, summer, and autumn. Don’t be reckless and mow too early. Be gentle and let your grass re-establish itself and allow it to grow a little higher at first. When your grass reaches 4 – 5 inches in height, trim it to 3 inches and then resume your normal mowing routine for the warmer seasons.

*Reseed or Resod. Spring is one of the best times of the year to re-seed or re-sod your lawn. If bare spots on your lawn are ignored, they can turn into unattractive mud puddles. Adding new grass seed and some fresh sod can turn an ugly yard into a groomed lawn. Seed and sod will both require ample water to grow, so you can take advantage of the rain to grow new grass in your bare areas.