Spring lawn care: How to grow the greenest grass on the block
Tired of feeling like the grass is always greener on the other side of the street...literally? Then it’s time to take control of your lawn! By taking an early and strategic approach to your lawn care this spring, you can make your summer lawn the envy of the neighbourhood. At J.A. Laporte’s Flowers & Nursery, our experts recommend five simple steps that will help nurse your lawn out of winter dormancy and prepare it for greatness:
1. Be patient
2. Debris removal
The second step is an easy one. On a nice spring day, take a quick stroll around your lawn and gather up all of the debris that has accumulated over the winter such as trash, leaves, and branches. This is a great task to get the kids involved in lawn and garden care.
3. Spring raking/dethatching
Once the weather has warmed up and your lawn has had the chance to dry out, the real work can finally begin. Start by giving your lawn a stiff raking. The purpose of doing this in the spring is to clear away any lingering dead leaves and excess lawn “thatch,” which is a combination of living and dead plant matter that builds up at the base of the grass roots. Some thatch is beneficial because it acts as a protective blanket; it keeps the grass roots cool in the summer and helps maintain moisture in the soil. However, when the layer of thatch is a half inch or more, it can prevent air, water, and nutrients from reaching the soil and grass roots. Heavy thatch also reduces the effectiveness of some fungicides and insecticides, acting as a protective cover for harmful pests and diseases.
4. Spring lawn fertilizing
Not sure which product to choose? It’s crucial to buy the right fertilizer for your lawn, so be sure to carefully review your options with our garden centre consultants. We’ll help you find the ideal fertilizer, created specifically for Zone 4B-5A in the national capital region.
5. Apply a pre-emergent
Finally, we recommend you apply corn gluten meal to your lawn. This powdery by-product of the corn syrup production process is commonly used as an organic pre-emergent herbicide, with added nutritional properties. When application is timed correctly, corn gluten meal can be effective in preventing weed seeds, like crabgrass, from germinating. Talk to our lawn care experts for advice on the best timing for your application.
At J.A. Laporte’s Flowers & Nursery, we’re experts in helping our customers achieve a beautiful, green lawn they can be proud of. Lawn care depends on the type of turf grass you have, so kick off your spring lawn care routine by stopping in and speaking with one of our friendly staff members. We’ll be happy to answer your questions, and we’ll walk you through our custom lawn care program called the “4-Step Program”. Before long, you’ll be hosting your neighbours for a summer BBQ and enjoying compliments on your lush, healthy lawn.
3 comments
Could you put something on your website about chinch bugs – how to get rid of them and how to seed/repair the damaged areas. On FB I remember seeing a short video of Mrs. Laporte talking about chinch bugs but I can’t find it. Thank you
Hello,
We wish to buy Spring fertilizer for the grass as well as the suggested pre-emergent product.
Also, is there some kind of “booster” we could give flowery plants (hydrangeas) slowly waking up after Winter?
Finally, some red mulch!
Please advise how we shall proceed.
Many thanks,
Madeleine & Yvon Deslauriers
I’ve consulted with you before and for my lawn you have recommended the 4 step program and you changed step 1 for another product. I would like to order the same plus a bag of lawn seed for my lawn which measures app. 45×50. Would you let me know if and when I can pay and pick up. Thank you. Guy