10 EARLY SPRING STEPS TO YOUR BEST LAWN AND YARD YET
Small things you can do now that can make a big difference
Once the first whiff of spring is in the air, we want to get out in the yard and get things moving. So we pulled together a list of things you can do right now to get ready.
Yes, it’s a To-Do list, but it’s a fun one that moves you closer to having the best lawn and yard you’ve ever had. This isn’t about comparing your lawn to anyone else’s (we’re not into ‘the grass is always greener’ thing). This is about loving your outdoor spaces so you actually use them, together or as a way to relax on your own.
So, let’s get started.
1) Sharpen your gardening tools and mower blades.
We can take care of this for you! Just drop off your tools and we’ll have them back to you in a week. Clean cuts encourage healthy growth in your grass, trees and plants and you’ll notice the difference.
2) Test your lawn and garden soil if you’ve had issues or questions.
It’s free at Bedford Fields! Dig down about 3” below the surface, then bring in a bag of soil from a few locations in your yard for a representative sampling.
For comprehensive testing, visit the UNH Soil Testing site.
3) Walk your yard.
It’s been awhile. Get a feel for what’s happening out there. We like to go on this fact-finding mission with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine to make it a peaceful, relaxing experience.
Take note of what’s budding, what needs to be trimmed back, if there are holes to fill in your landscape, and if you have any special ideas in mind.
4) Clean out your containers.
Let’s start fresh. Give your containers a good clean with warm, soapy water. Then add fresh potting soil before replanting to give your plants valuable nutrients. It’s worth the extra step.
Watch for the first pansies, hellebores and other harbingers of spring coming soon. We’ve even started accepting online pre-orders.
5) Vigorously rake your lawn.
It’s common after winter to have some thin or bare spots, even some snow mold spots, a fungus that shows up after the snow melts. Wake up the surface by giving it a brisk rake to remove any dead grass, rocks and other debris.
6) Prepare the seed bed.
Before reseeding spots or patches in your lawn, we recommend top-dressing with a light covering of nutrient-rich topsoil like Premium Monhegan Top Soil Blend by Coast of Maine. Loose topsoil will give your seed direct contact with fertile soil and a place to establish itself.
7) Engage your seed of choice.
Gently rake your high-quality Jonathan Green seed of choice into the top ½-inch of soil for rapid, uniform germination. If you’re spot seeding (rather than overseeding an entire lawn or seeding a new lawn) we’ve had great results with Jonathan Green’s Black Beauty Lawn Repair, grass seed, soil food, lawn food and seed establishment mulch all in one.
8) Feed and protect your seed.
If you opt to use seed on its own, then fertilizer, we recommend Jonathon Green’s Green Up for seeding and sodding, gentle enough to feed emergent seed. Then a thin layer of EZ Straw to prevent seed loss, help with germination and moisture retention.
9) For existing lawns, apply weed pre-emergent fertilizer when the forsythia begin to bloom.
We recommend Jonathan Green’s Crabgrass preventer to get out in front of weeds for established lawns. We also carry Espoma’s Organic Weed Preventer, an excellent natural option.
10) Get your beds made.
After you clean things up a bit, add Espoma Plant Tone or Flower Tone to all plants, and Preen Weed Preventer is a total time saver, too. Last, top off with a fresh new layer of mulch. It looks fantastic, of course, but it’s also your best, most natural defense in keeping soil cool, moisture in and weeds out.
Have questions, need help deciding or want to see for yourself in the garden center? Please stop in or give us a call at (603) 472-8880.
