Greensboro, NC Spring Lawn Care Tips

Greensboro, North Carolina sits in a region suitable for many types of grasses, which leads to many different lawn care practices all over the area. However, regardless of your specific grass type, there are certain lawn care techniques that should be done during the Spring no matter what. It is important to vary these practices based on whether your grasses are cool season or warm season. By following these lawn care tips, your lawn will be looking better than ever and will be resistant enough to last through the hot summer.

Watering

When watering your lawn, if cool season grasses makeup most of your turf, Spring will be a time for heavier waterings. Water in the early morning for the best results, as the least amount of water will evaporate. However, you do not want to overwater your lawn, as this can cause even more problems for lawn owners. A rule of thumb is to never water your lawn if the soil is still moist in the top 2 inches. If the soil is dry, then try to water so that the moisture reaches down to a depth of 6 to 8 inches, using a screwdriver to test the moisture levels.

Mowing

Mowing during the springtime can largely vary from lawn to lawn, and depends on whether your turf is comprised of cool season grasses or warm season ones. Typically, you will only have to mow your turf every 7 to 14 days during the Spring if your lawn is comprised of mostly warm season grasses. However, cool season grasses reach their highest growth rates in the spring, so for a lawn comprised of cool season grass, it is recommended to mow every 4 to 7 days, never mowing more than a third of the height of the grass at a time. Your mowing height will depend on what grass you have specifically.

When mowing, if it is possible, it is recommended to mulch grass clippings, allowing them to become natural fertilizer for the lawn. However, when doing this, ensure that no grass clumps are left anywhere, as these clumps can suffocate the grass below.

Fertilizing

Spring is also the time of year when cool season grasses in the region need to be fertilized, as it is best to add fertilizer to a grass at its highest growth rate. For cool season grasses, apply fertilizer as early as late February, just as the growing season is beginning, applying about 1 pound of nitrogen only fertilizer per 1000 square feet. If any fertilizing is done after February during the spring, it is recommended that the application is done with nitrogen only fertilizer with an application ranging from 0.2 pounds per 1000 square feet to 0.5 pounds per 1000 square feet.

Warm season grasses can be fertilized in the late Spring, using a 1 pound nitrogen only fertilizer application per 1000 square feet. This fertilizer application will allow the grasses to receive the nutrients they need to begin growing during the summer.

Aerification

Lawns that experience moderate to heavy foot traffic may have issues with compaction. This creates a soil that is densely packed, which does not allow your grasses to reach the nutrients they need. In the Spring or fall, use a core aerator in areas where water seems to form puddles, and then simply rake the cores back into the lawn to redistribute the present nutrients. This should only be done about once per year unless foot traffic conditions require it.

To learn more about how to have a stunning lawn, check out our Greensboro lawn care page.