Posted by Jason Gettum on Tue, Mar 05, 2013 @ 01:15 AM
As the gray tones of winter are replaced by the rejuvenating green of spring, your lawn will need your help resuscitating it back from its dormancy. Blades of jade green grass won't flourish without considerable sweat from your brow, however. Slip on your gardening gloves over your green thumbs and ready your lawn for the spring season.
Soil & Seed
Growing a new grass lawn— or even barren patches— require much physical labor and time. Before sowing seeds, you'll need to tend to the soil, now compacted from winter's chill and rendered unsuitable for engendering new growth. Equip either a spade or rototiller to loosen the soil in preparation for planting. According to HGTV.com, experts recommend using the combo of sand, compost, loam and original topsoil for nutrient enrichment. Use a roller to press down the soil and grade the spot with a rake. Testing the pH of soil is an oft neglected step when planting new seeds. HGTV suggests testing soil with do-it-yourself kits or utilizing your state's designated agricultural university.
If you want to save money, you may not want to roll out the green sod carpet and opt for hydroseeding instead. In comparison to seeding by hand, this process ensures even distribution of seeds. The seeds are usually combined in a slurry of mulch, fertilizer, wood fibers and other additives.
Mowing
The lawn mower is instrumental to your lawn's health. After winter inactivity, refill the gas tank, replace the oil and make any other reparations. To ensure it slices grass blades in complete uniformity, hone your mower's blades to razor sharpness. See, mowing the lawn is analogous to shaving. A sharpened blade will slice through stubble with ease compared to a dull blade ripping or pulling hair and lacerating skin. When it comes to mowing the lawn, less is more— as far as cutting goes. Set the blades higher for taller grass. Higher, denser grass also prevents crabgrass germination by blocking it from its ultraviolet energy source. TLC suggests that warm weather grasses should consistently measure 1.5 to 2.5 inches tall. Cool weather grasses should be kept at 2.5 to 3.5 inches. One method to ensure 180 degree grass cuts is to use a manual push reel mower. These motorless mowers manicure the grass, rather than shred it. So which mower should you purchase? Mowers Direct recommends Husqvarna mowers as some of the best lawn mowers on the market.
Aeration
Aeration is the practice of extricating plugs of sod to loosen soil. This process allows air, fertilizer and water to seep down directly into the grass root system— all integral to your lawn's health, according to HomeOwnerNet.com. There are two primary ways to accomplish aeration. Depending on the size of your lawn, either use a manual core aerator for smaller lawns (or specified problem spots) or a power aerator for any expansive stretches of land. You can rent commercial coring aerators at most tool rental stores.
P.S. Your lawn is not the only thing that requires attention this spring! Routine spring maintenance for your home uncover problem areas and help maintain the value of your home. For more information on spring home maintenace, click below:
About the author
Barry Wilkes
Barry is a writer and saxophonist who lives in Virginia.
Posted by Jason Gettum on Thu, Apr 12, 2012 @ 07:30 AM
Quick Tips to Tackle Spring Cleaning
Spring is here and with it comes the annual ritual of seasonal cleaning. During the month of April you can expect that nearly every house from one end of town to the other will have large piles of “stuff” out for the garbage.
Here are a few basic tips to help get your spring cleaning projects underway:
- Dust each room, including all knickknacks and bookshelves.
- Clean the telephones, keyboards, tables, desks, doorknobs, light switches, hanging lights, ceiling fans, and yes, even the walls. The walls might not seem dirty, but if you don’t wipe them down every year or so they could build up dirt and grease, which could alter the color of your walls.
- Clean all mirrors and windows.
- Throw away old newspapers, junk mail, and magazines.
- Use white vinegar and rubbing alcohol to polish and shine chrome fixtures.
- Clean out the fridge and freezer.
- Vacuum all rooms of the house, including the windowsills, bookshelves, air vents, and under the furniture.
- Give your stove a good cleaning - inside, out and behind. Replace the dials, if necessary.
- Clean out the inside and outside of your washer and dryer. Sweep behind them and under them to ensure that stray items are removed that could cause a fire. Vacuum out the dryer vent as well, to keep lint at a minimum. Speaking of dryer safety, have you read our dryer vent saftey blog?
Follow these quick tips and you'll be well on your way to tackling spring cleaning early this season and enjoying a little more relaxation during the summer months ahead.
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