No matter where you live, spring is pretty much everyone’s favorite season. Our neighbors to the north, for example, are delighted to see blades of grass peeking through the melting snow and thrilled to finally make plans to plant the bulbs they’ve been nurturing indoors. Our spring, however, is different. Sure, we have our own things to get excited about; daylight savings time, baseball season, the Hernando County “Art in the Park” festival – all are reasons to celebrate! But the absolute best thing about springtime is that we get to be outside – hands in the dirt, one with nature – without sweating through our t-shirts and chugging bottle after bottle of Gatorade. The sweltering summer is just around the corner, so what better time than spring to get that lawn and garden ready? Here are a few things to put on your spring To-Do list:
- Spring Cleaning: No…not the laborious task of wiping down baseboards and donating to the Spring Hill Goodwill; cleaning your lawn. Because we’re not outside mowing every week, we tend to neglect our lawns during the winter, allowing debris to collect. Additionally, Hernando County tends to have two or three freezes each year, leaving dead leaves and branches scattered all over. Spring is the perfect time to clean all of that up! Mulch it, compost it, put it on the curb for pick-up – just get it off of your lawn so your grass can grow, unimpeded!
- Ready Those Beds: As much emphasis as we put on our grass, it’s easy to forget that our lawn also includes ornamental features. Before you plant flowers, fruits, vegetables, or other greenery, make sure your beds are ready. Thorough weeding in the spring will minimize the amount of weeding you need to do during the summer. Prune and trim shrubs and bushes so that they look appealing and don’t overshadow your new additions.
- Plant It: Once you get your lawn prepared, you are ready to plant! Check your local nursery for plants that will thrive in our climate this time of year. Once you’ve sown your seeds and planted your seedlings, cover the area with a thick layer of mulch to retain moisture and prevent weeds. If you have patches of dead grass, spring is also the perfect time to lay new sod. Watering restrictions should be lighter while you’re waiting for grass to take root, but check sfwmd.gov for specifics.
Fertilize: The rainy season is just around the corner, so use this time to nurture those grass roots. Once you finish applying, be sure to water your lawn thoroughly to help the soil absorb the fertilizer. Need more information? Read our post about fertilizing your lawn.
If you have questions or concerns about how to treat your lawn during the spring months, call Challenger Irrigation. With over 20 years of experience, we know exactly what your lawn needs to thrive – no matter what the season.