| Many people often wonder why their neighbor has a | | | | For this forth step, aeration, I recommend hiring a |
| stronger, healthier, and more beautiful lawn then their | | | | lawn care provider that offers the service to do it |
| own. Chances are the neighbor cares for and | | | | for you as a good aeration machine is quite |
| maintains (or has a company that actually knows the | | | | expensive to purchase, and many of the products |
| keys to a great lawn) their lawn better than the | | | | targeted for homeowners for aeration simply do not |
| person who's lawn might not be so nice and beautiful. | | | | work. Here is a good way to know if know if your |
| Well you are in luck. I know the keys to the strong | | | | aeration product does not work, after you are done |
| beautiful lawn that you need to do to have that | | | | there are no "plugs" laying on top of your lawn that |
| strong, healthy, beautiful lawn that is the envy of the | | | | were pulled out of the lawn. This step is very |
| neighborhood, and I am going to share those keys | | | | important and it is important to do it correctly using |
| with you. Along with these keys there are steps that | | | | the proper machinery because it opens up your lawn |
| you need to do for the entire lawn care season | | | | for proper air, water and fertilization flow through the |
| (typically April 1st-November 1st), like properly | | | | ground and to your lawns roots. |
| watering your lawn but today I am just going to | | | | This fifth step goes along with step #4 (aeration). |
| focus on the spring time tips. | | | | This step is called over seeding or re-seeding. This |
| The first thing that you will want to do is remove | | | | process is just what it sounds like it would be, |
| the old dead leafs from last fall if you have not | | | | spreading seed over your current lawn. You want to |
| already done so. There are several ways this can be | | | | do this process after doing step #4 and I suggest |
| achieved. You can rake the leafs. Another way to | | | | doing it the same day or day after. Always use a |
| remove the old leafs from the lawn is to mow the | | | | spreader to ensure even distribution of the seeds so |
| lawn with a bagger attachment. Always dispose of | | | | the lawn grows in evenly. Also pick a seed that is |
| leafs, and lawn clippings properly for your area. Some | | | | designed for the area you are seeding (ie. sun, shade, |
| areas only accept lawn debris at certain times of the | | | | or if you have both find a sun and shade combination |
| year so check with your city or county to make sure | | | | mix) and follow the directions on the bag as far as |
| they accept them. You can also put them into a | | | | watering your new seeds. You will notice many of |
| compost area for use in your garden after they | | | | the grass seeds suggest using a starter fertilizer to |
| break down over a couple years as they make an | | | | help the seeds grow stronger and better, I do also |
| excellent fertilizer for your garden. | | | | suggest doing so, however I know there are many |
| The second step that you will want to do is to roll | | | | people who do not like to use fertilizers for various |
| the lawn. Rolling the lawn is important as it smooths | | | | reasons (kids, pets, environment, ect.). If you are |
| out the ground and removes the bumps making your | | | | okay with using fertilizers do so about 3-4 weeks (or |
| lawn not only easier but safer to mow. Some think | | | | what your grass seed bag suggests) before aeration |
| when you roll a lawn you just go one way and your | | | | and over seeding, but after steps 1, 2 and 3. Also if |
| done. It is actually best to roll the lawn front to back, | | | | you are not going to do the fertilization you can |
| diagonally twice, 2nd time being the opposite diagonal | | | | combine steps 3, 4 and 5 in their proper order in the |
| of the previous, then side to side (front to back and | | | | same day/ weekend. Remember watering your lawn |
| side to side can be switched but you want to cross | | | | properly is a very important process that should be |
| diagonals in the middle of the two). | | | | maintained season long, and always water new seeds |
| Next you will want to dethatch your lawn. | | | | as suggested on the bag of seeds. |
| Dethatching is the process of removing thatch, which | | | | The final step for spring is a good thing to do, but |
| is basically the left over dead lawn clippings from | | | | not really required. This step is fertilization. You will |
| your lawn. This process can be done along with step | | | | want to use a weed and feed fertilizer, if you plan |
| #1 if you rake the lawn. However, when doing it | | | | on doing this step. If so, check the grass seed bag |
| along with cleaning up the leafs you will have to | | | | to see when they say it is okay to use a weed killing |
| "power rake" (basically meaning put some good | | | | fertilizer (generally 1-2 months or longer after the |
| strength behind the rake) the lawn. The other way | | | | over seeding process). Always use a spreader or hire |
| you can do dethatching is to buy a dethatcher for | | | | a professional when fertilizing and carefully follow all |
| your tractor or contact a lawn care provider that | | | | warnings and directions on the fertilizer container. I |
| offers the service to do it for you. If you bag your | | | | also suggest using gloves, changing clothes when |
| lawn clippings you can generally do this process every | | | | done, wearing an old pair of closed toe shoes, and |
| couple years. | | | | taking a shower/bath following fertilizer application. |