After a long, cold winter, spring is finally here! The air is warm and the flowers are already blooming. Now, all you need is that picturesque green grass. Most lawns are just beginning to flourish as spring starts after the long winter season. During the winter, the cold temperatures and snow can alter the balance of the soil and create conditions more prone to sprouting weeds and more susceptible to disease. You may have already noticed a few bare spots or invasive plants. That’s why it’s so important that lawn care starts now. Spring maintenance will ensure the lawn is ready to thrive once summer rolls around.
Follow these five tips from a sprinkler system service in Burlington County, NJ to keep your lawn looking great this spring and into summer:
- Clean and repair the lawn: The first step is to prepare the lawn for new growth. Give the lawn a light raking once it has dried out to remove any thatching that has already developed. Then, fill in any areas that appear lower to prevent drainage problems later. Compacted soil needs to be loosened with an aerator to help the grass take root.
- Reseed as needed: After you’ve cleaned and repaired the lawn, the next step is to reseed any bare or brown areas. This will ensure the grass sprouts uniformly and green. Try to determine the cause of the problem to prevent it from occurring again. Dry patches could be fixed with the help of a sprinkler system service in Burlington County, NJ. Once you’ve corrected the composition, select a seed and spread it over the entire expanse of the lawn. Use a broadcaster spread to evenly disperse the seeds over a large lawn. Small spaces can likely just be seeded by hand.
- Extra care: Don’t ignore the grass once it’s been planted. Water it regularly to maintain an optimal level of moisture in the soil. Talk to a professional about sprinkler system services in Burlington County, NJ before planting to ensure your water system is sufficient.
- Fertilize: Fertilizer is an incredibly effective way to foster new growth—as long as it is applied properly. Apply a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer at a rate of one pound for every 1,000 square feet. Do this early in the season when the grass is still actively growing.
- Mow strategically: Mow the grass when it reaches about three to four inches tall. Mowing grass when it’s shorter than that could result in stress to the new growth. The mowing should be done frequently enough that you’re only removing the top third of the blade. Don’t bag the clippings, because the added organic matter can actually help the soil.
A lush, green lawn is dependent on a great sprinkler system. Whether you’re looking to maintain your current one or upgrade to a new system, call Star Sprinkler Systems Inc. today. We offer a spring startup service to ensure your system is ready to help your lawn look great throughout this season and into the next. Call us today to schedule your spring startup service!