Tips for after the snow melts: How to start the season with a healthy lawn
If you’ve lived in Minnesota your whole life, or even for 2-3 years, you know that the end of winter is unpredictable. It’s not uncommon to get a warm spell sometime in February or even January for a week or more. Then, right when everyone starts to get used to the warmer (above 20) temperatures, round 2 of winter hits…and it hits hard.
Weeks of sub-zero temperatures, wind chills of 30-40 below, and snow in March or even April are just some of the surprises Minnesota has in store to remind everyone that we live in an unpredictable state. And yet, every year, there seems to be a homeowner somewhere on the block that forgets this. As soon as we see a
Wait for the right ground temperature
This isn’t a race, and even if the snow has melted, winter may not be over yet. At Total Lawn Care, we always tell our customers to wait for the ground temp to hit 50 degrees or higher before starting any yard maintenance projects.
Not sure what the ground temp is? Not a problem! The state of Minnesota issues reports on soil temperatures here. Once the temp hits 50 or above, it’s time to work!
Remove any debris
Removing debris from your lawn is a good idea for a few reasons. Not only does it help make sure your lawn can breathe after being trapped under snow and ice all winter, but getting rid of loose lawn waste will also remove hiding spaces for mice or other critters as well as eliminate areas where water can build up and become a potential mosquito breeding ground.
Dethatch your yard
This is the next step up from removing basic yard waste. Thatch is a layer of dead grass and weed stalks or stems that accumulate near the roots of grass. A heavily thatched lawn can prevent the right amount of vitamins and nutrients from rain and sunlight from getting to your grass. A heavily thatched lawn can also trap moisture close to the roots of your grass and lead to the growth of mold and fungus, funky odors, and in serious cases, it can kill your grass. Specialized thatch rakes can be purchased or rented from hardware stores and many rental stores, or you can always call us (link to contact page) and ask about our complete dethatching specials.
Mulch every season
Mulching flower beds and around the bases of trees not only looks nice, but it’s a great way to give your yard a boost of nutrients while also cutting down on weed growth at the same time. We’ll talk more about different mulches as well as the mulch vs. stones debate in a future blog post.
It’s not a race!
Above all, remember that lawn care is not a race. There isn’t a prize for being the first house on the block to cut your grass. Believe it or not, waiting a few extra days for your grass to grow can actually help promote healthier, stronger roots early in the season.
Call us!
If you live in the Mankato area, or one of the surrounding areas, give us a call. Through many years of helping homeowners with their landscaping needs, Total Lawn Care has developed a Spring Services package that will make sure your lawn is both healthy and green and ready for you to make the most of your weekends!
