April 13th

By Mutt Mulligan

5 tips for a healthy family yard this spring

Even though winter is overstaying its welcome in some parts of the country, lawn care season will soon be here! Before you put on your gardening gloves and fire up your lawn equipment for the first time this season, brush up on these living landscape tips from TurfMutt.

• Inspect your lawn. After the snow has melted, you can check your turfgrass for bare spots where you might need to reseed. You can also use a rake to break up any areas of thatch build-up. Survey your outdoor living room and map out a plan for planting that takes into account your lifestyle, family needs and climate zone.
• Put the right plant in the right place. That means checking your climate zone and picking plants that work well in your microclimate. Also, place the right kinds of plants in the different areas of your yard. Hardy turfgrass is best for the main play areas for your kids and pets. Sturdy plants should go in high-traffic areas, while delicate varieties should be saved for elevated planters and patio pots. Finally, select plants that will support local pollinators (bees, butterflies and birds).
• Plan for wise watering practices. Overwatering not only increases your monthly bill, it also isn’t good for your grass. Watering too much pushes oxygen out of the soil, slowly suffocating the roots of the nutrient it needs to thrive. A smart watering system can help monitor moisture levels in the soil.
• Mow to the right height. A sharp mower blade will give you a clean cut and keep the grass blades from tearing and discoloring. In general (though it depends on your species, season and conditions), your grass should be trimmed to about 2-3 inches to protect it from heat and drought damage and weeds.
• Tune up your equipment. Make sure your mower has a fresh tank of oil, good spark plugs, no loose belts and a sharp blade. Take time to reacquaint yourself with the owner’s manual for your equipment and to review safety guidelines (like no kids and pets outside when mowing) with your family. Go here for more spring yard work safety tips.