Are you one of those people that welcome the coming of winter’s deep freeze because it means everybody else’s lawn will look as bad as yours? If you found yourself apologizing for the state of your lawn last year, don’t give up hope for next summer. With a little TLC and planning, you too can venture out into your yard without shame.

 You may think this is a bad time of year to think about lawn care. Everything is dormant and waiting out the winter. But it’s never too early to start planning for next summer’s growing season. In fact, if you wait to make those landscaping changes too far into spring, your lawn may not recover for the growing season. What follows are some tips for reviving your lawn’s beauty and helping you regain your bragging rights with your neighbors.

Sprinklers

No yard will look good without a regular drink of water. But depending on where you live, watering your yard can be a time consuming and expensive luxury. A sprinkler system on a timer will provide the right amount of water at the best time of day, usually early morning between six and eight a.m. Avoid allowing water to run off your grass and into the street or driveway. This not only wastes water but takes valuable fertilizer with it.

Make sure your sprinkler heads are operating properly at the beginning of each season. Make sure the heads are low enough to where they aren’t a tripping hazard but not so low it affects their spray. In fall make sure to properly winterize your sprinkler system before putting your lawn to sleep.

Fertilizer

Grass needs nutrients to keep it green and lush. Fertilizer provides those nutrients that will make your yard healthy and vibrant. However, harsh chemical fertilizers can be detrimental to the overall health of your yard. For example, worms and other beneficial critters that help keep a healthy ecological balance in your yard are often harmed by fertilizers. 

Apply a fertilizer that is environmentally friendly and won’t harm pets or other critters you want around. It is a good idea to feed your lawn in early spring and throughout the growing season on a regular basis. Don’t be tempted to put on more than is necessary. The excess will just run off the yard into the gutter. It’s literally throwing money down the drain.

Aeration and Thatching

Over time your lawn’s soil will become compacted, especially if it receives heavy traffic or has a lot of clay. The more common process involves driving what amounts to spikes into the lawn to create holes which allow for oxygen, water, and nutrients to penetrate the surface. A gas powered lawn aerator can be rented or you can opt to do it the old fashioned way with spiked shoes. If your lawn hasn’t been aerated in some time it is a good idea to do this before applying your first application of fertilizer in the spring. 

Thatching a lawn is the process of removing the buildup of dead grass in your lawn. Dead grass accumulates at the base of the grass and prevents air, water and nutrient penetration. It also can prevent new growth. Thatching can be done with a dethatching rake or by temporarily replacing the blade on your mower with a thatching blade. Mechanical dethatchers are also available for rent as well. 

With some planning and effort, you can have your yard looking beautiful again before next summer is over. Do a little research, get your hands dirty and before you know it you will be the envy of your neighbors.