As winter is fading in Toronto, it is high time to give your lawn proper care for lush and vibrant growth. Early spring is the perfect time to maintain your yard for healthy lawn growth throughout the growing season.
You might be wondering where to start your spring lawn care, as your lawn has suffered a major harsh winter. It is important to understand that heading towards your lawn and start doing work is not the answer to this problem. It is essential to make sure you are not doing harm to your lawn before you start planting, seeding and fertilizing.
So, in this blog, we will discuss seven easy tips that will improve your lawn care game and ensure your green space blooms throughout the spring season.
Why is Early Spring Lawn Care Essential?
Early spring is critical for lawn care because it sets the foundation for your lawn’s health throughout the year. After a harsh winter, your grass needs proper care to revive and prepare for the growing season. Starting your lawn care routine early ensures that your lawn can absorb the necessary nutrients and can stand common springtime challenges like weeds and pests.
When to Start Spring Lawn Care?
The best time to start your lawn care is March and April, when the grass begins to grow. After being dormant all winter, the grass in your lawn will start to grow and turn green again. This is the time when the soil temperature starts increasing. This is the perfect time to get your lawn in tip-top shape.
There are two important factors to check before starting lawn care in Toronto.
Temperature and Grass Growth
It is important to check the soil temperature before starting lawn care in Toronto because if you start early, your grass will not start growing, and your efforts may be wasted. If you start too late, your grass will struggle with the heat of summer.
Frost-Free Period
Toronto’s weather is unpredictable, so waiting for the last frost is important to prevent damage to your lawn. Check the last frost date of your region and then start your spring lawn care once you are sure that no snowfall will happen now. It is important to start lawn care in the frost-free period.
Spring Lawn Care Steps
Early spring lawn care makes a big difference in how your lawn looks during the summer months. Here are seven easy tips to help you get started.
Prepping Lawn For Growth
Once the snow has melted, start your lawn care with the first step, which is removing debris from the lawn. Remove all the dead grass, leaves, or other synthetic waste that has built up over the winter.
Raking your lawn will allow the soil to soak up the sunlight, water, and nutrients it needs to grow. Raking also helps you identify any areas of your lawn that may have been damaged by pests, disease, or other issues.
Increase the Nutrients Absorption
Soil becomes compacted during winter, which makes it difficult to grow. If you notice that your lawn has a lot of foot traffic, or if you have a new home where the lawn was graded, you may need to aerate your soil.
Aerating the soil involves removing small plugs from the ground to create holes that allow air, water, and nutrients to reach grass roots. You can rent a lawn aerator or hire professionals from a Toronto landscaping company to do this for you.
Reseed bare patches
If your lawn has bare or thin patches, early spring is ideal for reseeding. If you wait too long, weeds will start producing. Simply sprinkle seed over the bare patch and cover it with a thin layer of soil. Keep the soil moist for a few weeks while the new grass sprouts.
Fertilize your lawn
Applying fertilizer in the early spring will help your lawn green up faster and grow thicker. Look for a high-nitrogen fertilizer and apply it when the grass is still dormant. Be sure to water your lawn well after applying fertilizer.
You should fertilize your lawn when the soil temperature is relatively high, up to 55°C.If you’re not sure when that is, you can use a soil thermometer to check. If you apply the fertilizer too early, it won’t be as effective. If you apply it too late, you might end up promoting new growth when it’s too hot outside.
Control weeds
If not properly kept in check, weeds have the tendency to quickly take over a lawn. Applying a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring prevents weed growth. You can also spot-treat any weeds that have already popped up.
Mow your lawn
You can start mowing your lawn once it starts growing, but be sure to wait until the ground has dried out a bit. Mowing a wet lawn can cause soil compaction and damage the grass.
You should cut one-third of the grass blades when you mow your lawn. This will help the grass grow thicker and healthier. If you let your lawn get too long before mowing, you will have to cut off more of the grass blade, which can stress your lawn.
Water your lawn
If you don’t get a lot of rain in the spring, you may need to water your lawn to keep it looking its best. Make sure to water your lawn deeply but infrequently, avoiding evening watering to prevent disease.
Pro Tip
- If you didn’t get your lawn mower blades sharpened at the end of the season, now is a great time to do so. Sharp blades cut grass cleanly, which helps reduce the chances of disease.
- Early spring is a time of rapid growth for grass. The best way to encourage growth and discourage weeds is to keep your grass at a height of 3-4 inches. This means mowing your lawn every 5 to 7 days.
- If you have a large lawn, you should consider hiring a lawn care service to mow your lawn. Professional lawn care services companies have the equipment and expertise to keep your lawn looking great throughout the growing season.
Essential Tools for Spring Lawn Maintenance
To make your spring lawn care routine efficient and effective, having the right tools is important. Here’s a list of essential tools that will help you tackle various tasks with ease:
- Aerator: This tool is essential for relieving soil compaction and allowing air, water, and nutrients to reach the grassroots. It creates small holes in the soil, promoting healthier and more robust lawn growth.
- Lawn Mower: A well-maintained lawn mower is crucial for keeping your lawn neat and preventing disease. Remember to sharpen the blades for a clean cut.
- String Trimmer: This tool is ideal for trimming grass in hard-to-reach areas, such as around trees, fences, and garden beds, where your lawn mower can’t reach.
- Pruning Shears & Hedge Trimmers: Use these to trim overgrown bushes and hedges, maintaining the overall appearance of your lawn.
- Pressure Washer: Perfect for cleaning driveways, patios, and garden furniture, ensuring your entire outdoor space looks fresh and inviting.
- Stand-Up Weeder: This tool effortlessly removes weeds without bending over, which is especially helpful for those with big lawns.
- Pop-Up Garden Bags: These durable bags collect leaves, grass clippings, and other garden waste, making spring cleanup quick and easy.
- Garden Saw: Handy for cutting through thicker branches or pruning larger shrubs and trees your shears can’t handle.
Conclusion
The winter months are tough on your lawn, but with a little bit of care, you can help your grass recover and prepare for the spring season. Raking, mowing, fertilizing, and aerating are all important steps to take in the early spring to help your grass grow more effectively.
If you are not sure where to start with your early spring lawn care, contact Elm Landscaping. We offer a variety of lawn care services, including fertilization and aeration, to help your grass grow healthy and strong. We also offer weed control and pest control services to keep your lawn looking its best all year long. So, let your lawn bloom and grow this spring with all the care it needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start my spring lawn care in Toronto?
You should begin your spring lawn care in March or April when the grass starts to grow, and the soil temperature begins to rise. Waiting until the last frost has passed is essential to avoid damaging your lawn.
How can I prepare my lawn for spring growth after winter?
Start by removing debris such as dead grass, leaves, and other waste that accumulated over winter. Raking the lawn allows sunlight, water, and nutrients to reach the soil, promoting healthy growth of the grass.
Why is aerating the lawn important?
Aerating relieves soil compaction caused by winter, allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the soil and reach the grassroots. This promotes healthier and more robust lawn growth.
How can I address bare patches in my lawn?
Reseed bare or thin patches in early spring before weeds start to grow. Sprinkle seeds over the bare areas, cover them with a thin layer of soil, and keep the soil moist until the new grass sprouts.
What type of fertilizer should I use for my lawn in spring?
Use a high-nitrogen fertilizer in early spring to help your lawn green up faster and grow thicker. Apply it when the soil temperature is around 55°C, and water the lawn thoroughly afterward.
How can I control weeds in my lawn during spring?
Apply a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring to prevent weed growth. For weeds that have already appeared, spot-treat them with an appropriate herbicide.