Our Southeast Michigan weather will continue to turn from hot to cold and sunny to rainy or even snowy. No matter what it wants to do, now is the time for your spring yard clean up! You won’t need to worry about the mowing just yet. However, there are several lawn and yard prep tasks you can do now to get your property all set for Summer.
Be proactive by following our steps below for your spring yard clean up chores.
1. Clean Any Leftover Leaves - But Go Easy
Raking up leaves is usually a fall activity. Some trees will drop their leaves late and others will lose weak branches over the winter. Rake or collect all these leaves and branches. Don’t worry about every leaf as you can mow over a few, but give your lawn a thorough once over. Any piles of leaves can lead to mold and diseases forming. Drop your leaves and branches onto a compost pile or into yard waste bags for collection.
2. Handle those Weeds - Right Now!
Shut weeds down in early spring. Get to those weeds as early as possible to prevent them from spreading. The later you let your yard go without weeding, the stronger their roots become. Some broadleaf weeds can send out thousands of seeds each. Try snapping off the heads of dandelions before they seed to stop them from spreading.
Use the following approaches to proactively stop weeds:
- Don’t mow your lawn too often or too short
- Leave some grass clippings on the lawn
- Water the right amount
3. Break out the Pre-Emergent
If crabgrass pops up in your yard, you’ll have a season-long fight on your hands. Apply pre-emergent herbicide to slow or even stop weeds from taking root. Try to get this product onto your lawn when the top inch of soil has been around 55 degrees for a week. For us in Michigan, that time is right around now. Be ready to get out there and spread it before any crabgrass emerges.
4. Seed Your Bare Areas
Winter is a harsh reality check for your lawn. After the snows melt, you may have some bare spots due to pets, precipitation, or foot traffic. Try to seed before you spread your pre-emergent or at least don’t spread the pre-emergent on the bare patches because it will slow the growth of grass as well. Make sure to loosen up the soil before seeding the area. Speaking of which…
5. Break Up the Tough Soil
The soil in your yard may have gotten compacted during the winter. Gardens are especially in danger of becoming compacted. Breaking up your soil will help bring oxygen to plants and help them grow. Make sure to get rid of leaves or any other debris first. You can also aerate your lawn if broader areas of it have become compacted. You can rent an aerator or have a professional service aerate your lawn for you.
Working with a Professional Lawn Service Crew
There you have it. If you follow the steps above, your lawn will thank you for your efforts. Healthy lawns take work. That is why having a professional lawn care service like Independent Lawn Service™ is an important partner in the success of your lawn. We have been helping residents and businesses in the Livonia area have the greenest lawns possible since 1997.
