Start before the forsythia bloom
Ok guys, this is what you need to do in super early March for your Midwest lawn… follow these simple lawn tips and you’ll be off to a super good start. Keep in mind as you read this article, most of what I am recommending here is for those of you who are getting out and into the lawn very early. As a rule of thumb, if the forythia have started to bloom, you are too late for some of what I am recommending here. (fear not, I have a lawn care book I wrote that gives you step-by-step instructions on what to do no matter what time of year you start.)
Lawn Tasks – Early Spring
The late snow storm we got that dumped 20 inches down in February this year has really wreaked havoc. (see my vid here: Snowpocalypse 2011) All of this extra snow has created a huge problem with snow mold. In fact, as I look at my lawn right now, I can see major areas of snow mold that are going to need some attention early. In fact, if you look at the picture here of my lawn, pretty much the entire thing is matted and slimed up. This is gonna need a lot more than just a little raking.
In addition, some grass seed is going to need to be raked into some of the thin areas that have been created from mouse damage. This
My lawn after winter - ugly!
is one of the reasons why I told you earlier that you MUST start very early with these tips. Ok, so let’s get to it:
1) Aerate the lawn – I don’t care when the last time you aerated was, you gotta get out and do it again this spring. The clay soil is no doubt compacted from the weight of the snow, and much of the snow molded areas are severely matted on top of the thatch layer. In fact, I recommend you aerate double. (go east and west and then north and south to pull double plugs)
2) Fertilize early – I know we like to use organics with possible, but an organic lawn application isn’t going to fit the billing right now. We need to wake this lawn up and get it growing pretty quickly. If you can, get fertilizer called “starter fertilizer” and use that. Most people think these blends should only be applied to new lawns, but they can benefit an established lawn as well… especially one coming off a winter like we just had.
3) Throw in grass seed – you need to get the seed down early so that it can germinate prior to the end of April when we will be applying crab grass pre-emergent. Again, this is why you need to start this process very early. Lawn seeding works well in spring when you get it in early and keep it watered. You can seed right after the aeration and the application of the fertilizer.
4) Catch clippings – on your first couple mows of the year (starting in later March) you should catch the clippings. We want to get as much of that slimed grass out of there as we can. A lot of it will dry up and crust over and we want to get those clumps out, so it is a good idea to cut a little lower the first couple times (2″ is fine)
If you can get out this weekend and get these tasks done, your lawn will be off to a VERY solid start this year. Good luck ya’ll.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
i’m in rockford il and your tip are great, my lawn is to wet to get on, i use a rider to thatch, aerate, fertilize and seed. In the past i have aerated when the golf corse aerates is this ok?
sure Duggan, that is a good idea to aerate when you see the golf course doing it also.