As the days get longer and the weather starts to warm up, Long Island residents are dreaming of a happier, sunnier season ahead! And with the new season comes the hopeful promise of a beautiful lawn; after all, it’s time to ditch your dull winter yard for a lush and vibrant outdoor haven. But how do you do it? It can be intimidating to think about transforming your lawn from lackluster to lovely. Follow our step-by-step guide below and you’ll be on your way to prepping your Long Island yard for spring in no time.
Step 1: Clear Your Lawn of Debris
The first step in preparing your lawn for spring is to clean up any debris that has accumulated over the winter months. Rake up leaves, twigs, and other materials that may have settled on your grass and dispose of them properly so they don’t attract pests or cause damage to your lawn.
Step 2: Aerate Your Soil
Aerating your soil is essential for helping oxygen get into the root system of your grass, as well as allowing water to move more freely through the soil. A core aerator will be the best tool for the job versus a spike aerator, since it will mechanically remove cores instead of creating additional compaction by spiking into the soil.
Step 3: Reseed Any Bare Patches
Once you’ve aerated your soil, it’s time to reseed any bare patches in your lawn that may have appeared over the winter months. When selecting grass seed, make sure you choose a type that is best suited for Long Island’s climate conditions and soil type. Once you’ve chosen the right seed and spread it evenly over the bare patches, be sure to water thoroughly and regularly until the new grass starts to sprout.
Step 4: Fertilize Your Lawn
Fertilizing your lawn is key for helping it to reach its fullest potential come springtime! Just like when choosing grass seed, it’s important to select a fertilizer that is designed specifically for Long Island’s climate and soil. Once you have your fertilizer of choice, spread it evenly over the entire lawn in accordance with its instructions. Note: avoid using pre-emergent or post emergent weed control products for at least 4-6 weeks following an application of seed otherwise the seed germination will be stopped outright.
Step 5: Install Mulch
Adding mulch around trees and in landscape beds is a great way to add aesthetic appeal while also keeping weeds at bay. When selecting mulch, look for varieties that are both resistant to decaying and provide good drainage properties so they don’t suffocate any roots or cause rot.
And there you have it! Following these five steps should help you get your Long Island lawn prepped for spring in no time. If you’re located in Suffolk County and are ready to let the experts tackle your yard work this year, reach out to MSG Lawn Care today!