There’s definitely nothing wrong with getting an early start on beautifying your lawn and landscape. March brings in milder weather and is the perfect time to start preparing for spring and summer. At Glenn Landscape Services, we are here to help you with all your landscape design and landscape maintenance needs. Here are some landscaping tips, so you can get a leg up on your yard in early spring.
Test the pH Level of Your Yard
For cultivating a perfectly healthy lawn, keeping track of the pH level of your soil is important. If your soil is too acidic or too alkaline, your grass may have trouble getting nutrients from the soil. Keeping your lawn’s pH level between 6.0 and 7.0 is ideal and will ensure your lawn stays as healthy as possible.
Testing the pH level of your lawn isn’t difficult. All you need is a soil test kit which you can get from your local garden center, or you can get a professional to do it. To test the soil accurately, make sure you get samples of your soil that are at least two to three inches deep. This is called the root zone. Remove any grass or rocks from the sample and be sure to take samples from several different areas of your lawn to get the most accurate results. Spread your soil samples on newspaper and allow them to dry completely for about 24 hours. Then follow the instructions on your soil test kit.
Apply Lime if Your Soil Is Too Acidic
Depending on the pH balance of your yard, you may need to add lime to your soil if it is too acidic in order to increase alkalinity. Lime is the product of calcined limestone and is a good way to neutralize your lawn as it also provides a source of calcium and magnesium for your grass and plants and improves water penetration. If your lawn is already established, applying the lime by penetrating it into your soil is best done during periods of freezing or thawing, which is why early spring is an ideal time for lawn lime. Having the ideal pH level will maximize grass growth for your law.
Reseed and Weed Grass
Early March and April are the prime time to reseed dead or patchy grass. Because we live in Oregon, making sure the seeds get plenty of water shouldn’t be an issue. The copious amount of rain in early spring is another reason why now is the best time to reseed your lawn in order to have luscious grass by mid-spring and summer. It is also important to remove patches of weeds now, as it will pay off in the long run. With the soft soil from all of the rain, it is quick and easy to remove patches of weeds by hand. If you have a large weed problem, dig out the weed patch completely, including all the roots, then add some fresh topsoil to the exposed area and add grass seed.
Don’t Mow Your Lawn Too Short
During the first few cuts of spring, it’s best to not to trim the grass as low as you might in the summer. Grass grows best when it is around two inches tall or more. This will allow your grass to become nice and healthy before you give it a normal buzz cut once spring is in full swing. Also, wait for your soil to strengthen a bit before mowing. If your lawn’s soil is too moist the wheels on your mower will create ruts that will collect water and darken.
Clean Your Lawn Mower and Other Landscape Tools
With milder weather, now is the time to spruce up all your lawn equipment and tools before you begin to use them again. To clean your lawn mower, spray the underside of the deck with a hard stream of water to remove dirt and dried grass. Use a soft brush to scrub with soap and water and rinse thoroughly. Cleanings like this should happen semi-annually. Also, be sure to check the air filter as it should be cleaned or replaced about once a year. You could also sharpen the blade of your lawn mower. A dull blade can shred the individual blades of grass, causing the tips to eventually turn brown. If you’re not familiar with sharpening mower blades, we recommend having them sharpened by a professional.
By taking advantage of these maintenance tips, your lawn will be the object of envy in your neighborhood come summer. With over 36 years of landscape experience, you can trust Glenn Landscape Services to provide you with the quality work and creative design you desire to have the outdoor space of your dreams.