WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES APRIL 19, 2018 15
AT HOME
Dominate spring: 5 easy steps to wake up your lawn
There are a lot of things people
miss during the winter - fl ipfl
ops, shorts and warm sunshine.
But one of the things homeowners
miss the most is the sight of green
grass.
For months their lawns go into
hibernation and disappear under a
blanket of snow. Once the temperature
starts to rise and the days start getting
longer, many are eager to get outside
and restore their lawns to their former
glory.
But in order to get a lush green
lawn that is the envy of your block, it's
crucial to get to work at the beginning
of spring. The lawn experts at Lowe's
have shared fi ve key steps you can take
right now to ensure you have a beautiful
and healthy yard all year long.
1. TUNE UP YOUR
EQUIPMENT
Before you start work on your lawn,
you want to make sure your mower
is ready for the season. This means
changing out the oil, tightening up
any loose bolts or fasteners and starting
the season with fresh spark plugs.
You should also make sure the air fi lter
is clean, and don't forget to have your
blade sharpened. Be sure to follow the
manufacturer's instructions.
2. EVALUATE YOUR LAWN
Once all the snow has melted, set aside
some time to walk over your lawn. Take
note of any dead spots, snow mold or raw
patches of earth that need reseeding.
Bring a rake with you to clean up dead
leaves or break up any thatched areas
that may have formed over the winter.
3. TAKE CARE OF SNOW
MOLD
If you fi nd a spot of snow mold and
other types of lawn fungus that are
common in early spring, take a rake
and gently break up the matted grass
so it can dry. Oft entimes, this will be
enough to dry out the mold and get
the grass in the area growing again.
However, depending on the extent of
the damage, you might have to patch
or reseed the area.
4. RESEED WHERE
NEEDED
For the bare spots as well as areas of
your lawn that are looking a little thin,
overseeding is a great way to return it
to its full, lush state. Spread grass seed
over the area you want to patch, add
some fertilizer and about a half inch
of topsoil and gently rake the mixture
in with the grass and soil. Thoroughly
water these patches every day until
the seeds begin to germinate.
5. PLANT WHILE
IT'S STILL COOL
The cooler temperatures in spring
are ideal for roots to take hold before
the hot summer weather arrives.
This is why spring is the best time to
seed your lawn. Also, if you've been
thinking of planting any shrubs or
trees, you should do it before it gets
too warm.
The smell of fresh-cut grass is
almost upon us! Lowe's has all of the
products and services you need to get
your lawn ready for spring.
Courtesy BPT