Early Spring Lawn Applications Are Important

(Wednesday, March 15, 2006) - Early spring lawn applications are important for building stress tolerance, strong roots, healthy color, and preventing unwanted weeds and insects. Within the next few weeks, homeowners across the country will begin the annual chore of lawn care. It starts with fertilization, using the standard type that's been used for many years, or the new natural varieties. For crabgrass and other annual grasses, pre-emergent controls are recommended. That's the first step toward developing a rich, beautiful lawn you can enjoy for the entire year. This should be the beginning of a season-long feeding program of four or five fertilizations tailored to the time of year and the weather conditions. According to Lawn Doctor, poor quality materials are major contributors to an unattractive lawn. If you're doing it yourself, select quality lawn care materials, and pay particular attention to formulation and application instructions. If you're hiring a professional lawn care company, ask about the type and quality of the materials they use, the results you should expect and the specific services included in your program. Homeowner dissatisfaction is common with early spring broadleaf weed control. Cool weather can lessen the effectiveness of the application. Professionals usually provide additional broadleaf weed control in a later application, when the weather is warmer. Pre-emergent controls for crabgrass can also be affected by too little or too much rain, or excessive heat. And you should avoid seeding, thatching, heavy raking and core aeration immediately after a preventative treatment is applied. Lawn care materials, whether purchased by the homeowner or applied by a professional, must be applied in accordance with the EPA-registered label instructions on the product. It's a good practice to keep your family and pets off the lawn until your lawn care materials have been watered into the soil and the lawn is dry. Early spring is also the time to check the condition of your lawn mower. Blades should be sharp, to avoid shredding leaf tips and to ensure a beautiful, healthy-looking lawn. Collect clippings only to avoid unattractive clumps of cut grass. Clippings decompose quickly and don't contribute significantly to the thatch layer. The purpose of this attention to lawns in early spring is to condition the lawn for healthy root development and a beautiful looking turf throughout the summer and into the fall. For more details on how to keep your lawn looking healthy and beautiful all year long, contact your local Lawn Doctor at 1.800.4.LAWN DR (1.800.452.9637).

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