Spring Lawn Treatment: Five Best Steps to Take Right Now in Fishkill, NY
Do you stop by your neighbor's house to complement their healthy, lush lawn, while secretly wishing yours looked as beautiful and green as theirs? Spring care is essential for a vibrant green lawn that will boost the curb appeal of your Fishkill, NY, home. Here are five steps you can take right now to keep your lawn in shape all-year round and have a productive growing season:
Spring Raking
Many homeowners skip the raking of their lawn in the spring if it’s done in the fall. During fall, raking is done to remove excess leaves, but in spring, the process is needed for more than that. Spring raking helps remove built-up thatch and grass blades that have died over the winter and which will eventually become thatch.
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Even if your fall raking was more vigorous than just clearing away old leaves, you should still have your lawn raked because of snow mold. This condition causes the grass blades to get stuck together, making it hard for new grass to penetrate the surface. The raking should be done to a deeper level, with the right tools, using the right angle. It is important that raking be done at the right time, because if done too early, when the lawn hasn't yet matured, raking may kill new shoots before they have developed. For this reason, leave the raking of your lawn to Lehigh Lawns & Landscaping Inc.
A Soil pH Test
A pH test is performed to test the “potential of hydrogen” (the amount of hydrogen ions in a substance), or simply put, to measure the acid/alkaline balance of the soil. The pH measurement is based on a logarithmic scale from 1 to 14. Soil with a pH less than seven is acidic; seven is neutral, and higher than seven is alkaline. This test checks the acidity of the soil, which is vital because grass requires a relatively neutral, if slightly acidic, pH to thrive. Different plants have different soil pH requirements. If the soil is too acidic, there will be a need to proceed with a process called liming. If the soil is too alkaline, a mild acid may need to be added. Both for soil testing and balancing, it is best to consult a professional.
Fertilization
Fertilizing a lawn is a vital process and should be done regularly. Different types of grass require different types and amounts of fertilizer to thrive. The process of fertilizing a lawn is a delicate one, as too much fertilizer can lead to weed problems and lawn disease, and too little may be insufficient to benefit your lawn. Schedule your fertilization service with Lehigh Lawns & Landscaping Inc. and enroll in our fertilization program to maximize your lawn growth and increase its visual appeal.
Related: 4 Advantages of Organic Fertilization in Hopewell Junction
Weed Control
Weeds and crabgrass can cause a lot of problems for lawns. Weed control should be done carefully because some herbicides will kill both weed seeds and grass seeds. The first step to prevent crabgrass is to overseed during fall rather than spring. If the overseeding is done during spring, there are some cautionary measures to be taken to prevent damage to grass seeds by chemicals.
Professional Mowing
Mowing can turn into a repetitive task that you’ll eventually get tired of doing. There are also different mowing strategies that may better suit your landscape. Let Lehigh Lawns & Landscaping Inc. take care of your lawn and landscape maintenance requirements.
Related: Fertilization, Aeration, and Irrigation: A Guide to Lawn Maintenance in Fishkill