Early Spring lawn Preparations

Early spring brings excitement and joy to many homeowners in the Antioch-Gurnee-Waukegan area as humid warm air and extended sunlight hours bring the lawns and plants out of their winter slumber.  The thoughts of enjoying the outdoors once again brings a lot of anticipation along with a list of things to do.  There are many projects and plans racing through our minds as the warmer days allow for open windows and sunroofs throughout the neighborhoods.  One way to eliminate the uncertainty of lawn tasks and projects is to get develop a plan to have in place once the warmer weather is here to stay.

A spring lawn plan should include the following lawn care activities to either "enjoy" doing yourself or make sure you have hired to get done for the season.  A lawn fertilizer application consisting of spring fertilizer with a pre-emergent weed control for annual grassy weeds, mainly crabgrass.  A soil enrichment product such as a soil conditioner or pellet compost to provide soil nutrients and organic matter to encourage microbial activity.  And a core aeration with over seeding as needed to allow oxygen to penetrate the soil profile and begin filling in any bare or thin spots in the lawn.  Spring conditions are very favorable for new growth and developing a lawn for the duration of summer so don't miss this opportunity to get the lawn growing in the right direction.

Spring fertilizer should consist of a medium rate application of Nitrogen (13-19%) and a low Potassium rate (1-6%).  The source should be of a fairly quick release form for fast release and uptake as the plant needs it during the warmer and wet conditions that vary from day to day.  The herbicide should be the broadest range of weed control to prevent the most seed from germinating and taking root before the grass has a chance to generate new growth.  Most products are designed for stopping the establishment of crabgrass.  Although you wont generally see it until June or later the germination process for crabgrass can begin with a string of 5 or more days with soil temperatures above 50 degrees.

Spring is also a great time to core aerate a lawn in order to increase oxygen to the root zone of the topsoil.  This activity also relieve soil compaction from freezing ground or extended snow cover.  By alleviating the soil and allowing more oxygen to the root zone, the turf is able to green up and begin growing in tune with the air temperature increasing.  Aeration is one of the best natural activities for the improvement of the lawn without forcing any nutrients or chemicals onto the lawn.



Spring is also a great time to introduce or add organic matter to the soil to boost microbial activity.  The most effective way to do this is with the addition of soil conditioners or organic compost made into pellets that can be easily applied to the lawn similar to fertilizer.  The organic matter feeds the soil microbes as the temperatures warm up,which leads to a healthier and more rich topsoil.

These early spring lawn tips are a great way to get the lawn growing in spring and can be done by homeowners alone or can be hired out to be done by a lawn care provider.  Lawn Doctor not only suggests these services but we also provide them for you.  Contact the lawn professionals at Lawn Doctor of Antioch to take care of your spring lawn to do list so you can enjoy the warming spring days on a golf course, walking or biking or just relaxing on your patio.

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