Spring is here, which means the smell of fresh cut grass is in the air! Chances are you have questions about taking care of your yard, lawn and garden. From picking the right seed to watering, I’ve got the answers. It’s time to break out that fertilizer, lawnmower and other equipment to create the ultimate lawn.

Repairing your lawn

If only it were as easy as lightly raking your lawn when spring arrived, sigh. Unfortunately, one of the most common problems facing our lawns today is uneven ground. And low spots can cause poor drainage, which can result in bad growing conditions for grass and other plants. What you need to do is grab a shovel and cut away any areas that are raised. Another issue that can plague our beautiful lawns is soil compaction. This occurs when soil is densely packed, making it diffiult for grass to take root and easy for weeds to take over. Test your soil by sticking a garden fork into the ground. If the fork cannot penetrate two inches, your soil is most likely compacted. You must loosen the soil with an aerator designed to remove small plugs of soil.

Planting grass

Once you’ve figured out all the problem areas of your lawn, you may need to reseed parts that are brown or bare. Planting new grass can dramatically change the appearance of your lawn. Before buying seed, figure out which varieties will work best in your particular region and climate. Also, consider the amount of sunlight your backyard receives. If you’re seeding a large area, it’s best to use a broadcast spreader. However, smaller areas can be seeded by hand. Once the seed is planted, it’s important to water it regularly and fertilize. Wait until grass is three to four inches high to mow.

Continue fertilizing grass

Now that you have rejuvenated your lawn, it’s best to encourage growth and discourage weeds from growing. You can do this by applying a combination of fertilizers and herbicides. When applying these products, take into consideration where you live and your weed problem. Fertilizer can help grow lush, thick grass. However, when used improperly it can actually damage the grass. Herbicides must also be used with care. It’s best to apply a pre-emergent herbicide before the seeds germinate in the spring. Keep in mind that if you use this treatment you cannot plant new grass.

Properly mow lawn

It may surprise you that there is actually a proper technique to mowing your lawn. Cutting your grass too short can be harmful to your lawn. And mowing with a low blade can remove important nutrients that are stored in leaf blades. Therefore, it’s always better to cut your grass at the tallest height recommended for your grass type. See below:

• Common bermudagrass: 1-2 inches
• Fescue: 2-3.5 inches
• Kentucky bluegrass: 2-3.5 inches
• St. Augustine: 2-4 inches
• Zoysia: 0.5-1.5 inches

A little bit of lawn maintenance now will ensure that your yard looks healthy all summer long. It’s critical to properly clean, fertilize and mow your lawn early in the season. Follow these spring lawn care tips for the best results possible.

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Ann Michaels is a freelance writer and lawn advocate. Her favorite hobby is making her yard look as beautiful as possible, which is why she buys religious garden statues from Saint Francis Garden to improve the overall look.