Five easy steps to prepare your lawn for spring - tasks to start this month
SPRING is within sight, and it's time to get your lawn ready for more time spent in the garden. Here are five easy steps to prepare your grass for the warmer days.
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The days are getting longer and spring is on the approach, making now the perfect time for green-thumbed Britons to get their garden ready for the change of seasons. While the winter months might not have been so kind to your lawn, there are some steps you can take to get ready for more time spent outdoors.
Here are five easy steps to get your grass in shape.
Clear any mess
Over the winter, a combination of strong winds and fallen leaves can result in debris collecting on your lawn.
Before spring arrives, it is a good idea to clear up any mess which may have gathered.
Raking the leaves is the first step, and in doing so you are always waking up your grass.
The process will remove any dead, matted patches where grass blades are stuck together.
A metal rake will produce better results than a plastic one.
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Aerate your lawn
Aeration typically should take place twice a year - once in spring and the second in summer.
As spring gets closer, it is a good idea to begin the process.
This is because the soil is likely to be naturally moist at this time and suitable for holes to be poked in easily.
During the winter months, when the ground is moist, soil can become compacted.
By aerating the soil, you're allowing air to enter into the soil, which means grass can take in oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide.
Aerating in spring coincides perfectly with the grass' natural growing season.
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Pull out any weeds
Even in the cold winter months, weeds can begin to take over your lawn, which is why it is a good idea to keep on top of weeding.
Before the weather heats up, make sure to pull any weeds you have noticed before they begin germinating.
According to My Home Turf: "Depending on whether the weed is an annual or perennial will depend on which pre-emergent or post-emergent herbicide you use.
"If you have a problem with annual weeds, such as Crabgrass, then fertilising in spring would go hand-in-hand with the application of pre-emergent herbicides."
Pre-emergence herbicides address weeds before seedlings get a chance to grow.
Post-emergent herbicides are used on perennial weeds, such as dandelions.
If you do not want to use herbicides, you can first attempt to remove perennials by hand, making sure to remove both the weed and its roots.
Trim surrounding foliage
During your pre-season cleanup, it is a good idea to take a look at any surrounding shrubs or trees.
Remove any dead patches to boost the chances of springtime growth.
However, avoid touching any flowering shrubs until later in the year once they have bloomed.
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Check your lawnmower and strimmer
Your lawnmower and strimmer may have been out of use during the winter months, but as spring approaches, it is a good idea to make sure they are still in working order.
Tune-up your gardening tools, and sharpen your pruning shears ready for action.