Typically, lawn care officially starts in Canada when we’re sure that there’s no more snow coming, so while that may not always happen in April, it’s right around the corner. Lawn care is an important part of your outdoor maintenance plan; the condition of your lawn affects the impression your visitors get when they visit your facility, so it’s important to get your lawn in great shape for the summer.

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If you have grass or lawn on your property and want to keep it looking nice for your guests and staff, there are a few steps you can take to get it ready in the spring:

• Light raking is the first step in spring lawn care, removing the dead layer of turf grass (called thatch) that has accumulated over the winter. Break up the thatch with a flexible rake to remove this layer.
• Assess your soil’s pH in case you need to add soil amendments to get it to an optimal condition to grow grass. Once you know the soil condition, you can add things like limestone to help it get back to its optimal levels.
• If your lawn has bare spots, consider over-seeding, which means sowing seeds over your existing grass. A starter fertilizer to keep the seeds moist can help seeds germinate and sprout to fill in those areas where the grass is missing. This is a step commonly reserved for the fall, but if your lawn is in desperate need, you can also try it in the spring.
• Fertilizing is next, but experts recommend a light treatment in the spring and a heavier one in the fall. Your lawn cuttings or mulch can be used as an organic fertilizer at this time of year, or there are several chemical fertilizers available.
• Weed prevention is also an important part of your lawn care, however, all weeds are not treated the same way. For a preventative approach, you can apply a pre-emergent herbicide, which will form a chemical layer and can prevent the weeds from growing roots. Do not try this if you are seeding, however, as this will also stop the growth of your new lawn.
• You will need your lawnmower throughout the spring and summer, so be sure that it is in good working order. Check the oil, get a tune-up if necessary, and sharpen the blade so you’re ready when you need to be.

Lawn care is an important part of outdoor maintenance, and staying on top of your lawn will keep it healthy and help to give a good first impression to your facility’s visitors.