Getting your lawn ready for summer is easy if you follow a few simple steps. Mow the bare patches, fertilize, and remove thatch. You should also check your lawn for pests, like crabgrass, and prevent germination.
Prevent insects from wilting
If you’re looking for a way to prevent insects from wilting your lawn, you’ve come to the right place. The good news is that you don’t have to resort to chemical treatments to get the job done. If you’re willing to take the time and care to do your research, you can find a number of effective solutions that don’t require any chemicals.
The best way to keep these pesky pests from ruining your lawn is to prevent them in the first place. You can do this by incorporating a few easy to follow steps into your regular maintenance routine. The most obvious step is to inspect your lawn for damage. If you spot a crooked or broken stem, don’t be afraid to pick it off. The damage can be easily repaired by trimming off the damaged parts and re-watering the rest.
There are a variety of insecticides available for purchase, but many of them are restricted to licensed pesticide applicators. Using a reputable brand is the best bet. Keeping your plants well watered is also a must. If you notice any bugs, snip them off or use a sticky strip to catch them. This may sound like a no brainer, but there are a few different bugs to avoid, including thrips and flea beetles.
Despite the best efforts of your pest control department, your lawn will still suffer from time to time. There’s no way to completely protect your garden from these pests, but you can minimize their impact by keeping it healthy and happy. Keeping your lawn well watered, and using the right pesticides are two important steps towards a healthier, happier lawn. If you’re not sure how to go about it, a trusted gardening pro can help.
Fertilize
When it comes to fertilizing your lawn for the summer, it is important to get the right amount and the right type of fertilizer for the grass. In addition to the grass’s needs, you must also take into account the temperature and the weather forecast.
To help you determine how much fertilizer your lawn needs, you can start by calculating the size of your lawn. This is achieved by multiplying the length and width of your yard. The result is a number, which is called the N-P-K Rating. The first number represents the nitrogen content, while the second represents the phosphorus and potassium levels.
After you have determined the correct number of pounds of nitrogen and phosphorus for your lawn, you can choose the appropriate type of fertilizer. There are many options available. For example, if you have a reseeded lawn, you can use a nitrogen-rich formula, which will provide the seeds with strong roots.
Another option is to use a liquid fertilizer. This method releases nutrients gradually over time, and can be beneficial to plants that are experiencing nutrient stress. In addition, this option is ideal for plants that are showing signs of disease.
To ensure a smooth application, you should first measure your lawn’s area. To do this, you should draw an outline of your lawn and then multiply the length and width of the outline. This is a simple process, but it will help you visualize your lawn.
The next step is to decide how to spread the fertilizer. There are several options, including hand-held drop spreaders and handheld sprayers. You should always make sure that you are following the directions on your spreader.
Mow bare patches
Bald patches on your lawn can be a major problem. If you want to prepare your lawn for summer, you’ll need to make sure it’s free of bare patches. It can be an indication of a problem with your grass or an insect infestation. There are several ways you can fix bare patches, including reseeding, tilling, and spraying your lawn with a starter fertilizer.
Re-seeding your lawn is a great way to prevent disease and make your lawn look lush and green. However, it’s important to consider underlying problems before attempting to repair bare patches. Using a combination of methods will ensure your lawn stays looking its best.
Some grass types will grow into bare spots and fill them in. Alternatively, you can use a starter fertilizer to encourage re-growth.
You can also rake out the area, and apply a top-dressing. This is a light application of soil, mulch, and grass seed. It’s an easy way to fix small bare patches on your lawn. It can also be paired with aerating. This process helps to loosen up the soil, making it easier for roots to anchor.
Another option for re-seeding your lawn is to purchase a roll of sod. This is inexpensive, and it usually blends into the rest of your lawn within a few weeks. To prepare the sod for mowing, cut it about two inches beyond the bare spot. Then, push the sod against the bare area. Ensure that the sod is placed at the same height as the rest of the grass.
Grass that grows with stolons is also a good choice for filling in bare spots. These grasses spread laterally, which allows them to fill in the bald areas of your lawn.
Remove thatch
Before the summer starts, remove thatch from your lawn to prepare it for the warm season. Too much thatch in your grass can block sunlight and air, making your lawn susceptible to disease. Also, excess thatch can reduce the amount of nutrients that your grass can absorb, which may lead to reduced growth.
To reduce thatch, use aeration. This process breaks up the soil, opening up spaces for water and nutrients to reach your roots. Aeration is often used with other lawn care techniques, such as dethatching, to achieve a healthier, more beautiful lawn.
Lawns with more than a half-inch layer of thatch can prevent moisture from reaching the soil. It can also harbor insects and disease-causing organisms. Thatch is a layer of dead grass, leaves, and other organic matter that accumulates between the grass and the soil surface.
If you don’t want to remove thatch, you can compost it. The thatch you compost can be added back to your lawn after breaking down. You can also mulch it around shrubs and trees.
You can also use a vertical mower to remove thatch. However, this type of mower cannot be left on your lawn after mowing. We know that price is an important factor when picking these tools so be sure to research ahead before deciding to purchase one. If you want to compost the debris, it must be removed first.
If you have a lawn that has an excessive thatch layer, it will likely be ragged. You should avoid raking the thatch until the normal growth resumes.
There are two methods of removing thatch: aeration and dethatching. Aeration helps increase air circulation, while dethatching is a mechanical procedure that cuts through the thatch and loosens it for removal.
If you’ve noticed a bare spot on your lawn, you should overseed it with quality grass seed. You can do this in the spring to strengthen your yard’s immune system and help it withstand the heat of summer. If you’re not sure how much thatch is in your lawn, you can perform a soil test. It will give you an idea of how much lime you will need to add to your soil in order to return it to a healthy pH balance.
Prevent crabgrass germination
Crabgrass is an extremely opportunistic weed, especially in the warmer, spring months. It is difficult to fight because it loves hot sun and open spaces. It has tremendous growth capabilities, producing up to 150,000 seeds in one season.
The best way to prevent crabgrass is to prevent the germination of its seeds. The best way to do this is to use a pre-emergent herbicide. These herbicides kill the dormant seeds before they emerge.
A good example of a pre-emergent product is Benefin, a trifluralin-based chemical. It is effective on crabgrass as well as other weeds. It can be applied to a wide area and provides good control for up to 60 days.
The best time to apply a pre-emergent herbicide is in late April to early May. This is when the soil is at its warmest. It is not recommended to apply this treatment too early, as it can weaken the lawn’s ability to fight off grassy weeds during the summer.
You should also consider applying a weed-free straw to protect the seeds from birds and other creatures. You should not use nonselective herbicides, which can damage desirable shrubs and trees.
A garden weeder tool is another efficient tool for weeding. It uses a plunger and claw to drive deep into the soil, extracting the roots and seeds of the weed.
If your lawn has been plagued by crabgrass, call a professional lawn care company to do the work for you. They will be able to identify if your lawn is infected with the weed, as well as help you eliminate the problem. They can also recommend the best product for your situation and the most effective application method.