The Spring Lawn Program
Summary: A spring lawn program – lawn fertilizing, seeding, beating weeds and waking up old lawns – is the perfect time to get the lawn ready before the weather breaks for other garden and landscaping activities.
Question: What spring lawn care program and steps should we get started on to make our lawn more resistant to weeds, and become stronger and more healthy – from lawn fertilizing to seeding. Glenn, Bethlehem, PA
Answer: Spring is the season for Nature’s children to wake up but not all of them get up at the same time. Some wait until the earth warms, while others shiver into early activity. Insects, birds, trees and flowers – yes, even grass and weeds choose different times to roll out. Weeds, those grouches of the plant family, get up late. While these worthless loafers remain under the covers of dormancy, there is a good chance for your lawn and grass to get the jump on them.
Long before snowdrifts vanish from protected corners, the bright colored seed catalogs arrive, prompting those good intentions to have a better garden. Plans for the season may be taking shape but it will be some time before the weather permits actual work in the flower garden. No such delay is necessary in the case of the lawn, which is a fitting complement to any garden. Most of the spring lawn program can be completed while the weather is still cold, allowing more time later for other gardening activities.
Grass seed is not injured by freezing temperatures. In fact the practice of seeding before frost has left the ground or even on top of a late thin snow is winning more converts every year.
Seeding on Honeycombed Soil
This method takes advantage of a soil condition not found at other seasons. The ground is still partially frozen and therefore not sticky. It is “honeycombed ” or pockmarked as a result of alternate freezing and thawing. The cracks and checks afford an ideal lodging place for the seed and Nature covers it in her own way by the subsequent action of the weather. Thus the necessity of raking in the seed is eliminated.
Many early sowers prefer to plant on one of the last, thin snows. The white surface makes the seed more visible, aiding even distribution. Thus uniform growth can be expected. As the snow melts, the seed is carried into the ground to the ideal depth for good germination. Such planting should nor be attempted on steep slopes where melting snow may wash away the seed.
When seed is planted on honeycombed soil or on a thin snow, no further attention need be given the lawn until such time as the ground is free from frost and excess moisture. Then it should be rolled. Even though the new grass has started, it will not be damaged if a light roller is used.
Feed Lawns Early Too
Cold weather is also a good time to feed the lawn. Turf is dormant then, so there is no need to water in the grass food. The same melting snow and the alternate freezing and thawing carry it down into the root zone. There is no appreciable loss of nutrients during cold weather so the efficiency of the grass food is not impaired.
Advantages of Early Seeding
While cold weather lawn work is gaining in popularity, still most lawns receive no attention until sunshiny days arrive to coax the homeowner out of doors. Then is another good time to fix up the lawn and undoubtedly it is more enjoyable. However, any unnecessary delays in seeding should be avoided. Although the ground is still cool it will soon warm up enough to germinate seed.
Overcoming Competition
Grass must always run a race against weeds and drought. The send-off it is given will greatly determine whether it comes out victor or vanquished. Fortunately, most annual weeds are handicapped with a slow start and grass can keep ahead of them if it is planted early.
An early start for the lawn is also important to give it a safe lead on hot, dry weather. Grasses which produce permanent lawns are slower developing. Ample time should be allowed for them to send their roots deep into the soil, out of danger from a scorching sun.
Wherever the ground is shaded by trees, early feeding and seeding afford still another advantage. The grass has a chance to become firmly entrenched before leaves appear on the trees. Being well established, it is better able to thrive in the shade and meet the competition of the tree roots. Each day’s start in advance of the shade means added strength to new grass.
