As the temperatures start to warm up, your lawn will start to wake up. With this comes the possibility of crabgrass and other weeds. Crabgrass is a common weed that can invade your lawn. While it’s not harmful, it can be an eyesore in an otherwise luscious lawn.
Stop Weeds Before they grow
Using a preventative weed fighter is the best way to a greener, healthier lawn. Treat your lawn with a pre-emergence herbicide. This will help prevent weeds from popping up around your lawn in the first place. Plus, you only have to use a pre-emergent herbicide once a year. It is best to treat your lawn early in the spring before flowers and plants start to grow.
Crabgrass and weed seeds start to germinate when the soil warms up, about 55 degrees fahrenheit. When the soil reaches 60-70 degrees the majority of the seeds start to germinate. You will want to apply the preventer before the seeds germinate. It should be applied when the soil reaches 50-55 degrees. If it is used too early, it can break down before the seeds start to germinate. The best time to apply weed preventer is before it rains. The rain will wash the preventer off the grass blades into the soil and the weed seeds.
Crabgrass and weed preventer is a pre-emergent herbicide. It must be used before the seeds have sprouted. To apply the preventer, use a lawn spreader or seeder. Apply it uniformly across you lawn. After you have applied the herbicide, you will need to water it, unless it rains. If you have a newly-seeded lawn, wait until you have mowed it a few times before applying herbicide. (Check out my How to Reseed your Lawn in the Spring post here on our blog page) Otherwise, it can kill the tender grass seedlings. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying a herbicide to your lawn.
If you already have lawn weeds, you can pull or dig them up. You can also use a post-emergence herbicide, which will kill the weeds you have. Make sure to use a post-emergent herbicide that is made for use in lawns other wise you will kill your grass along with the weeds.
Maintain your lawn mower
It is also important to maintain your lawn mower. As spring rolls around, you should prepare your lawn mower for another season of work. This means cleaning the engine and carburetor, changing the oil and filter, changing the fuel filter and filling with fresh gas. (Dale is here in our small engine shop and is happy to help you with small engine maintenance and repairs.) Cleaning the undercarriage and sharpening the lawnmower blades is also important to maintain a beautiful lawn. Sharp blades leaves a clean cut.
Water your Lawn
The best time to water your lawn is between 6 and 10 a.m. because your lawn will have the entire day to dry. You can also water your lawn between 4 and 7 p.m. if you do not have time in the morning. Avoid watering your lawn between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. because it is the hottest part of the day and most of the water will just evaporate.
Fertilize your lawn
Using the right fertilizer at the right time can help you achieve a lush green lawn.(Look for a future post on Fertilizing Your Lawn)
Here is a quick and easy way to take care of your lawn in 3 easy steps.
Come in and see us today for all of your lawn care needs.
Never Miss a SALE. Follow us on Facebook.
