Once the Spring Has Gone (from your grass that is...)

Now's the time of  year, here in our corner of the world (the prairies), that you begin to see spring clean up crews all over the city. Raking, de-thatching, aerating and fertilizing are all jobs that should be addressed early spring.

If your lawn is no longer springy or spongy underfoot (no footprints), you may rake it.  Raking with a fan rake will remove debris while raking with a "thatch" rake will remove the dead and dry grass otherwise known as thatch.  This may be done by hand with a rake every spring or every three years with a power rake.

Now is a good time to aerate as well.  Aerating and detaching may be done in the fall, but is equally, if not more, effective in the spring.  Aerating pulls up small plugs of soil, creating holes which will allow absorption of water and fertilizer to the roots of your lawn.  This is especially beneficial on lawns five years and older and may be done every spring.  Leave the plugs on the lawn to slowly disintegrate back into the lawn.

A slow release fertilizer should be applied now.  Select a fertilizer with a high middle number, which is phosphorus, which encourages strong root development and growth.  Something like a 10-20-5 would be ideal.  Use a broadcast spreader and apply evenly all over the lawn.

You may also want to consider overseeding your lawn this spring but do not do so within six weeks of using a herbicide for weeds as this will inhibit growth of your grass seeds as well.  Psst:  Take a little hint from me:  If your neighbourhood has an active community of crows and seagulls, avoid using corn gluten as a weed seed inhibitor.  These birds love to eat it!!!  No kidding!  My weeds flourished and so did the crows and seagulls!!!