The quality of care you give your yard in spring will determine how it looks throughout the summer. Knowing in advance how to best take care of it will influence what lawn and garden supplies you need and what your maintenance routine will look like when spring rolls around. Below are several factors to consider when developing your lawn care plan.

What To Consider When Caring for Your Lawn In Spring

1. What Type of Grass You Have

Different grasses have different needs, so do your best to identify what type of grasses are currently growing in your lawn. If you’re thinking of seeding new grass, pay attention to what type you buy and what lawn and garden supplies you’ll need to maintain it. Grasses are divided into categories based on when they thrive, either in the cold or warm season. Common cool-season grasses are rye and bluegrass, while warm-season grasses are Bermuda and centipede.

2. When To Fertilize

Cool-season grasses won’t need fertilization during spring until late in the season, as it can promote too much early growth that will be damaged by the heat in summer. If your grass is having problems or seems to be lacking the nutrients it needs, use slow-release, light plant food to keep it growing throughout summer. Warm-season grass should be fed in mid to late spring when it begins to grow after the threat of frost has passed.

3. How To Care for the Soil

Test your soil’s pH balance to make sure it’s suitable for your grasses. If you need to apply lime to lower acidity, don’t do it within a few weeks of applying fertilizer as they’ll make each other less effective. Keep soil aerated so that it’s not too dense for roots to grow, water it weekly to keep it moist, and dethatch your lawn during peak growth to combat disease and pests in the soil.

4. When To Put Down Seed 

Don’t put down seed if you’re controlling weed growth, as the chemicals used to control weeds can kill germination and new growth. If you are seeding, know when to plant. Warm-season grass should be planted in late spring when the soil has warmed up, while cool-season grass does best being planted as soon as the average temperatures reach the 60s. Waiting too long to plant it will lead to grass that will die in the high heat of summer.

Do you need lawn and garden supplies to keep your yard in tiptop shape? Bolivar Farmers Exchange in Polk County, MO, has provided high-quality, comprehensive lawn care supplies since 1920, including plant food and fertilizer, seed, aerating supplies, weed and insect treatments, and soil testing kits. They offer affordable pricing with friendly service and extended hours during the week. Learn more about their lawn and garden supplies online, and call (417) 326-2664 today to ask about inventory or lawn recommendations.