Spring Yard Maintenance 101
Spring has sprung, and old man winter is a distant memory.
We’ve celebrated Mother’s Day, seen some April showers, and now you’re ready to get your yard in tip-top shape. We know that not everyone is born with a green thumb, so we put together some expert tips from the Wayne Homes team to get your yard looking great.
Get Your Grass Growing
The #1 thing homeowners want is a green, lush lawn. It brings curb appeal like no other. So, what should you do if your lawn is looking a bit blah?
- Do a soil test: Always test your soil first. You want to make sure it’s set for optimum grass growth—proper drainage and full of the right nutrients.
- Clean it up: Head out with a rake to get rid of any debris or dead grass to prepare the soil for seeding.
- Aerate: When you aerate your lawn, you introduce thousands of tiny holes into your soil, allowing water, air, and nutrients into your grass’s roots. You can rent a machine to do this or pay a company that already has this machinery at the ready.
- Sow the seed: You’ll need a spreader to ensure uniform growth. Use a broadcast spreader or drop spreader for large areas, and a hand spreader in smaller ones. Once you’ve set your spreader to the recommended rate, fill it up with just half of the seeds. Cross once in one direction, and again in the opposite direction. The crisscross pattern will help with uniformity.
- Fertilize: Apply a thin layer of starter fertilizer before covering and tamping the soil.
- Water, water, water: Newly seeded lawns need plenty of moisture to allow the seeds to germinate. You’ll need to either gently spray the area or run a sprinkler at a low setting two or three times a day for five to 10 minutes for the first week or so. Always be sure to water your lawn before 10 a.m., or between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
- Mow the grass: Once the grass reaches 3 to 4 inches, it’s time for the first mow. Keep up the good work, your lawn should be looking lush after following these steps!
If you find yourself gazing in horror as weeds threaten to take over your lawn or flower beds, here are some weeds to look out for and how to take care of them:
- Dandelions
- Crabgrass
- Lamb’s quarters
- Purslane
- Sorrel
You can get rid of weeds naturally by covering them with mulch or landscape fabric. You can also try burning them or using boiling water to kill them by changing the conditions in which they thrive. You can use chemicals to kill weeds, but be sure you use herbicides that are safe for pets and children.
There are also bugs to watch for that will wreck your yard if given the chance. Some pests respond to natural solutions, such as soapy water, while other infestations will require a professional to get rid of them.
Look out for:
- Chinch bugs
- White grubs
- Sod webworms
- Armyworms
- Cutworms
- Ants
- Billbugs
Now you’ve made sure your lawn is looking lovely, let’s be sure you have the right tools and are ready to do the finishing touches.
Tools of the trade:
- A tuned-up lawn mower
- Shovel
- Weed trimmer
- Gardener’s gloves
- Trowel
Final steps to a beautiful spring yard:
- Hit the nursery and plant some colorful flowers in the front yard.
- Trim any tree branches that are too close to the home or have died.
- Invest in edging to define flower beds or hardscape areas.
Remember to pay attention to what your yard needs! If you’re unsure, call in a professional for an assessment, and ask them to give you a list of to-dos. There may be some areas that you’re happy to hire a pro for, but many of the smaller items are perfect for the weekend warrior’s punchlist.
Happy gardening!
Love your lawn, but ready for a new home? We can help! Contact us, and we can show you how you can have the lawn and home you love.
About Wayne Homes
Wayne Homes is a custom homebuilder in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia (see all Model Home Centers). We offer over 50 fully customizable floorplans and a team dedicated to providing the best experience in the home building industry. For more information, Ask Julie by Live Chat or call us at (866) 253-6807.
