Lawn Care: How to Repair a Lawn
Even if your lawn looks unhealthy and worn out, you can turn it into golf-course green through the seasons.
1. Spring care
You should start caring for your lawn once the grass starts turning green. First, get rid of the sand and stones that the snow blower threw into your compound during summer. A shop vacuum is ideal for this task, since raking will only get rid of 15% of the pebbles and stones. The snow piles that were on your lawn during winter compacted the soil, so start by loosening it up by applying gypsum. Apply fertilizer between your second and third mowing.
2. Late spring to early summer
At this time, it is important to water your lawn. The best time to do this is early in the morning. If you water during the day, some will evaporate. Watering at night leaves the loan wet for too long. Give your grass 3/8 inches of water three times a week. That means you will have to calculate the amount of time your sprinkler takes to dispense the required amount of water. Apply the second round of fertilizer in mid-May.
3. Mid to late summer
By mid-summer, you will notice that your lawn is thicker and greener than before. You may notice some weeds too. Spot and kill the weed patches using an herbicide. In case the weeds are all over the lawn, use a dial sprayer. You can apply the third round of fertilizer in mid-August.
4. Fall care
Don’t neglect your lawn even as the growing season comes to an end. You should continue treating the soil as the grass gets dominant for winter. Apply a soil activator over the yard in early to mid September. Two weeks after the activator, apply the final round of fertilizer for the year. Use a winterizer fertilizer because it has more potassium that helps the roots grow deeper, which allows it to absorb more nutrients as the ground freezes.
