Spring is upon us and Mother Nature’s music has begun. Claps of thunder from afar as a storm passes by, birds singing their song early in the morning, Spring Peepers calling in chorus at dusk, squirrels rustling about all day, and of course, mowers, trimmers and blowers buzzing across the neighborhood!

Do you know what it means to “open it up?”

Have you mowed your lawn yet? For many, the first mow, or “opening it up,” often marks the official start to Spring. There’s nothing like that sense of gratification you get from completing your first lap around your lawn on the ‘ole mower. Creating “new lines” or “striping” is always fun, too, but once you start, you can’t stop!

If you’ve already “opened up” your lawn for the season, there’s still a few things you can do:

1. Clean up the mess. Sticks, leaves, acorns and other debris. This frees up space for your turf and reduces the chances of causing damage to your mower. If you have a lot of dead weeds, rake them up and seed to fill any voids. This can reduce weed pressure over the summer. Oh, and for all you dog lovers out there, dog waste is NOT a natural fertilizer. Clean it up!
2. Assess your soil. Pull a soil sample and send it off to the MU Extensions soil lab. They can provide you with valuable information to help you manage your lawn and landscape this season. They can also make recommendations for lime, organic matter and fertility (Macro and Micro Nutrients).
3. Spring seeding. Fill in bare spots with a bit of new topsoil as needed. Score the surface, seed and cover with straw. Be careful though! If you disturb the soil too much, you might make your lawn more susceptible weeds this summer.
4. Fertilize and apply preemergent weed control. Crabgrass begins to germinate once soil temps hold at 50-55 degrees for a few days in a row. Proper fertility now can provide your lawn with good color and modest growth. Don’t over apply! You may wind up mowing every other day!
5. Service your lawn mower. Check the oil, refresh and top off the gas tank, clean or replace the air filter, and if it’s still difficult to start, it may be due for a tune-up or even replacement. Don’t forget to sharpen the blades. A dull mower blade shreds the tips of your grass, giving it a dull, tattered appearance.

We hope you have a wonderful Spring. Remember, no matter what you decide to do with your lawn this season, we’re here to answer any questions you might have about your property. That’s what friends and neighbors do.