Healthy Turf - Series 3 Article 4 - General Maintenance

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By Bobbie Herbs


This is the last article of our series about 2019 spring lawn care. Following these guidelines can deliver a lush, verdant and healthy lawn this season and for years to come. Links to other articles in this series can be found on this page.

General Maintenance

You know the type of grass you have, your lawn mower blade is sharp, and you’re armed with tips on weed and pest control. What about general upkeep? 

Dethatch Your Lawn

Let’s start spring when the ground is dry by raking and dethatching. Doing this before peak growing season ensures you don’t damage tender sprouts as you rake deeply. Look for matted patches of grass, remove them as you rake ensuring new grass can grow up without a natural obstacle. 

Compaction – Take Action Now or…

While you are raking check to see if the soil has compacted. This occurs in high traffic areas and may show visible lawn decline. Make a note of the areas where this has occurred. Experts disagree about the best time to aerate. Some recommend spring, allowing your lawn to better absorb the nutrients it needs to thrive as it greens up. Others say wait until fall. If you choose to join the ranks of spring aeration advocates, you can rent an aerator locally. 

Over-seeding is Recommended for Fall, But

Although over-seeding is also recommended for fall, you can do this in spring if your lawn is really tired. Once the last snow has disappeared, cover your yard or brown spots at the recommended rate with fresh seed. 

Water Right is Water Wise

Proper watering is one of the critical cultural practices for creating a healthy, lush lawn. First measure the amount of water that’s being delivered. Simply place a tuna fish can in the path of the sprinkler. When it’s full, this 1” of water is sufficient for the week. Since it is recommended to water three times a week, especially is the blazing heat of the summer, a third of an inch of water is all that’s needed for each watering. 

Water early in the morning when the sun starts to rise. Optimize your water’s work by avoiding evaporation due to the blazing afternoon sun. Also watering later in the day promotes fungus growth in the wet grass overnight.

In summary, know your grass, know your soil. Rake gently but deeply. Mow to the proper height based on you grass type. Give your lawn 1” of water a week. Carefully treat insect pests with exacting practices and chemical selection. Attack weeds ensuring you don’t kill your grass. 

Enjoy every activity that takes place in your yard this summer!

Come back next week for a new series from Rutger’s University Master Gardeners of Burlington County.






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