The Do's of Spring Lawn Care

Don't let the dreary local weather fool you – spring has sprung in Ottawa, and that means it's time to dust off your green thumb and get ready for seasonal lawn care. A healthy summer lawn starts with a little love and a lot of elbow grease in April, so grab a rake and get ready. Whether you prefer to handle your own lawn maintenance or trust the professional Ottawa lawn care specialists at Nutri-Lawn, now's the time to start planning your summer maintenance schedule. Not sure what to do or where to start in your yard? Our local lawn care and irrigation system specialists have outlined six important "must-dos" below.

Local Lawn Care Must-Do Maintenance Tasks

1) Early Fertility is like a pre-emergent weed control.
Did you know that summer weeds begin to take root as soon as the soil's temperature rises above 50 degrees Fahrenheit? Once the soil has reached this temperature it doesn't take long for pesky crabgrass and clover to spread and cover your lawn. Since the weather in Ottawa can be a bit problematic (snow? In April? That sounds about right!) it's important that you consult with an expert to know when to apply the necessary products.

2) Let some air in with lawn aeration.
There are two prime times to aerate your Ottawa lawn – the spring and the autumn. Some types of sandy soils should be aerated at both times, while lawns that are primarily clay can get by on just one treatment. If you're planning to fertilize or reseed your lawn, our local lawn care and residential irrigation specialists recommend aerating. This will help allow the seeds and nutrients to penetrate the soil, thereby producing better results.

3) Sprinkle on some seed.
Once you've aerated, it's time to add some seed. When purchasing your grass seed, make sure you avoid any cool season seed types. The grass seed will be exposed to the summer heat soon enough, and cool season grasses won't be able to root properly due to the increased temperature.  Nutri-Lawn can provide you with “Ottawa Blend” grass seed.

4) Take the mower for a test drive.
Now's the perfect time to fire up the lawnmower and check the sharpness of your mower blade. Remember, a dull mower blade will rip the grass rather than cut it, and this can result in a yellow tinge on your lawn that looks unhealthy and encourage unsightly disease. Your local lawn care centre should be able to sharpen your mower blade for you (if you're having trouble locating a shop that provides this service, simply ask one of Nutri-Lawn Ottawa's lawn care and irrigation system specialists for a recommendation).

5) Check the PH of your soil.
A soil chemical imbalance can wreak havoc on your lawn. Knowing your lawn's PH reading can help you manage these imbalances and improve the appearance of your yard. The residential lawn and irrigation specialists at Nutri-Lawn Ottawa recommend testing the PH of your lawn once every two to three years.

6) Remember to read the instructions carefully.
Using too much of a specific lawn care product could cause more damage to your lawn than good. Not applying enough could result in improper health and poor weed control. What's more, applying the wrong type of product at the wrong time of year could have catastrophic results. When in doubt, don't hesitate to contact the residential irrigation and lawn care professionals at your local Nutri-Lawn location for product advice.

For help with your spring lawn care maintenance contact the residential and commercial irrigation experts at Nutri-Lawn Ottawa.