Learn the Tips for Spring Readiness
Before it starts anew, there are some things we need to do to ensure it comes in strong and remains healthy all season long.
Lawn Debris Removal
Our lawns have a few seasons of built up debris that will impede our spring turf from coming in well. Briskly raking your lawn and removing leaves, acorns, dead grass and anything else that’s covering the surface will open a clear path for spring greenness.
Mowing (Scalping/Clean up Cut)
It’s time for the first mowing of the year (especially true for Bermuda and Zoysia lawns). The goal is to get last season’s dead grass blades removed. You don’t have to cut it down to bare dirt. Shoot for a first cut height that is in the 1”-1.5”. This may take multiple cuts in different directions to get it right. Bagging is a must . . . you don’t want all of that dead grass laying on top of the lawn, in your house or all over your dog.
Longer grass tends to fold over during the winter. Raking it upright before you mow will allow you to cut it down. Mowers have a hard time pulling up the dormant “comb-over” on their own
Irrigation
Water your lawn at least twice per month until your lawn is 50% green (mid to end of April). Starting in May, it is advisable to return to a 2x weekly watering schedule.
– Bermuda grass and Zoysia need 1-1.5” inches (NO MORE) of TOTAL irrigation per week (including rain).
– St. Augustine needs 1.5-1.75″ inches (NO MORE) of TOTAL irrigation per week (including rain).
Too much water or water when your turf is not actively growing will restrict its growth and set your lawn up for fungal turf diseases.
Be sure to test your sprinkler system. Our systems run at night and we don’t much think about them. An annual “eyes-on” sprinkler test allows you to discover broken sprinkler heads, broken lines, and other leaks. If heads are out of adjustment, you can turn them where they need to spray with a small, flat-head screwdriver.
Need an irrigation specialist? Reply, call or text us (214-308-1322) and we can help you get to the right place.
Aeration
If you want a healthy lawn in Texas, it has to be core aerated. Especially over the last two summers, the combination of high heat and low precipitation has made many of our clay-based lawns as hard as our driveways. This strangles the root systems and water, oxygen, and nutrients can’t make it down to where the plant needs them. Without core aeration, your lawns will thin out and harder sections will die off.
We begin aeration service next week. Reach out to us for more information (we are running a bi-annual special). Spots are limited so be sure to grab one.
Ready to give your lawn a fresh start this spring? Contact American Lawnscape today! We can schedule a professional lawn care service to remove debris and perform a proper first mow, ensuring your turf is prepped for optimal spring growth.
Any Questions?
Reach out with any questions about your North Texas yard. Call or text The Turf Veteran at (214-308-1322).