15 March 2024
The dramatic seasonal swings in the Northeast can make lawn care tricky. As if merely keeping your grass alive and green with the right lawn fertilizer schedule isn't hard enough, you also have to pick the right variety of grass to suit your climate and decide when to aerate, mow, and water it. As tempting as it is to just let the weeds take over, we have a better idea: Take the hassle out of lawn maintenance with this handy seasonal schedule, which walks you from spring through fall lawn care in the Northeast. (Yes, you get the winter off!) Now sharpen your mower blades, and grab your smartphone to set those reminders to fertilize.
Think of spring as the start of yard season. Set your grass up for all-year-long success by tackling the basics from March to June, and the rest of the growing season will be a breeze.
Before you even step foot onto your lawn, tend to your mower. Bring your grass cutter in for service in early spring—that way, you'll beat the rush, and your most critical tool will be in tip-top shape when you need it. Make sure to sharpen the blades so they cut evenly and efficiently.
How do you know when it's time to mow? Wait until your grass is about three inches tall, then set your blade height so you only trim an inch or so at a time. It's best to keep most turf types in this region at least two inches tall—this helps the grass ward off weeds and withstand summer drought later in the year.
Though fall is the ideal time to start a new lawn from seed, you can also do it in the spring. Don't wait until the latter part of the season, though—you want to give your grass a chance to grow in and establish itself before the summer heat arrives. Once daytime temperatures hit the 60s, you can start seeding; check the forecast to make sure a spring rain isn't on the way to avoid washout.
Compacted soil can be a major culprit behind grass that just won't thicken up. If it's difficult to stick a shovel into your soil and you have persistent bald patches, this may be your problem—and fortunately, there's an easy fix: aeration. Pulling up cylindrical plugs of soil when your grass is actively growing enables the roots to reach deeper and the soil to better absorb moisture.
A quick application of lawn food in early spring will help launch your yard into the hot months with staying power. Keep your sprinkling light (hint: it's easier to consistently apply granules than to spray), and use a slow-release or organic formulation. The ideal time to fertilize is 24 to 48 hours before your first time mowing; depending on the type of fertilizer you choose, you can reapply every four to eight weeks throughout spring and summer.
Contact Monnick Supply in Marlborough and Framingham, MA for more informaiton or assistance with lawncare products.
Source: bhg.com
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