3 Simple Steps to Prep Your Lawn for Spring

Your lawn took a beating this winter. From the ice to the winds that scattered debris across your yard, it probably doesn’t look like the cover of a home and garden magazine. The good news is that it can be lush, beautiful and attractive again! You just need to give it a little TLC as a responsible central Pennsylvania homeowner.

While all lawns will grow in some way when the warm weather and spring rains approach, you want to control the growth of yours so it doesn’t look like a jungle. It’s just part of your Camp Hill, Harrisburg, Hershey or Mechanicsburg home improvement to-do list for the months of April through June — and you can cross it off your list in a few easy steps.

1. Clean and Aerate the Lawn

First, start removing all the leaves, twigs and other items that will only get in the way of fertile growth. Bag them or, where applicable, add them to your compost pile. After your lawn is completely bare of debris, it can be aerated. Aerating the soil involves poking holes into the earth when it’s moist — but don’t worry, there are special tools available to make the job easier.

All the air that goes into your lawn helps loosen up soil and encourages any plant life to grow more productively. Aeration is ideal if your lawn has patches of dirt that are incredibly dry and feel spongy.

2. Seed Your Lawn Properly

Once your lawn is aerated, you can start to plant seeds unless you’re certain that your grass is going to grow evenly in size, shape and color. You’ll want to investigate the right grass seeds for the type of soil you have, as well as how much shade and sun the grass will get. Go to your nearest Harrisburg or Mechanicsburg home improvement store for advice. Make sure you seed your lawn properly. Too much and the lawn won’t grow, too little and it will look sparse.

3. Plant Flora and Gardens at the Right Time

 As part of your lawn care, you may want to plant flower beds, a veggie garden or other flora. If you aren’t accustomed to planting trees, shrubs, etc., you’ll need to investigate the best time of year to put the seed into the ground. Some plants may grow healthier if they are started indoors and then moved outdoors later. To make your life easier, you can put together a one-page chart that outlines each plant, when you’re supposed to plant it, and where you intend to plant it.

With just a few steps and a bit of planning, your Central PA lawn will be the showcase of the neighborhood! Plus, it will stand up to the wear and tear of all the upcoming backyard barbeques, kids’ parties and events.

(photo via)