Spring clean up time is quickly approaching. With the minimal amount of snow fall this winter and the onset of warmer temperatures, it looks like spring is coming. One of the most important things that you can do for your lawn is to perform a spring clean up. This biggest reason why home owners clean their lawn up in the spring is to rejuvenate their lawn. Over the winter grass can become matted down and covered by debris. If left on the grass, the debris can suffocate the turf. The sooner that you start your spring clean up, the sooner your lawn will recover.
Spring clean up tips.
If you have leaves left on your lawn from last fall, make sure to remove them as soon as possible. If you do not remove the leaves from your yard, you risk having them kill out sections of your turf. Wet and compacted leaves will not allow oxygen and nutrients to reach the grass. If leaves are left on your lawn too long, you may notice a yellowing or whitening of the turf grass. If this is the case, your lawn may need some special attention in order to recover. Depending on the severity of the damage, most yellowing or whitening will recover with time. The best thing that you can do for this damaged area is to provide adequate water and nutrients. Once the area receives adequate sunlight and oxygen, it will start to green up and recover.
If the grass under the compacted leaves is black or grey, it is most likely dead. The black or grey color is an indicator that the grass is starting to decompose. If this happens, the only way to fix your lawn is to seed or re-sod the area. If the area is not treated properly, grass will not grow and weeds will be encouraged to flourish.