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Lawn Care Tips
Salt Lake County: (801) 505-3539
You've heard the phrase "April showers bring May flowers." Well put on your shower caps and bring out your umbrellas, because the heavens will be pouring rain which will accelerate plant growth.
Also aiding in this is the warming temperatures, making an ideal environment for bluegrass.
Now is the time to really begin maintaining your lawn to start it off on the right foot for the rest of the season.
Watering
It's important in the spring time to train your root system.
Typically a good deep watering (about 10 inches of moist soil), once a week will be sufficient for your lawn.
However, it may be necessary to water more frequently as the temperatures rise and the rain slows leaving your soil dry.
Keep in mind though, if you begin watering too frequently early in the year, your roots remain shallow which makes your lawn dependent on frequent watering.
How do I know if my soil is dry?
You can test this in two different ways.
First, you can probe the soil with a screwdriver or a butter knife.
If it is relatively hard to push in and moist soil doesn't stick to the probe, it's too dry.
The second method requires you to look at your lawn itself to determine if it is a darker hue.
Also examine the individual blades. If they don't spring back quickly when stepped on, this indicates dryness.
Mowing
Mow at the second highest setting.
Since April is one of the fastest growing months for blue grass, you may need to mow more frequently.
To keep from mowing off too much of the green in your lawn, mow off only 1/3 of the blade at a time.
Most of the green in your lawn is located in the top portion of the blade.
Weeds
In April, the weeds in your lawn are mostly perennials such as Dandelions, Thistle or Mallow.
The broad-leaf weeds can be sprayed with a selective herbicide.
Any grassy weeds would need to be sprayed with a non-selective herbicide such as Roundup and the lawn replanted in that area.
Dandelions
Description: Broadleaf weed with deep, fleshy taproot; yellow flowers.
Peak Season: April - May
Dandelions are a perennial broadleaf weed.
They are characterized by a deep, fleshy taproot, broad and jagged leaves, and yellow flowers up to two inches in diameter.
As the flowers go to seed, the yellow pedals are replaced with white, puffy seeds.
When wind blows they are then disbursed throughout the region.
When will I see Dandelions?
While Dandelions are seen throughout the year from early spring to late fall, they are most rampant during the spring.
During this time you will see an aggressive expansion phase.
How do I get rid of Dandelion and how long will it take?
Aside from hand pulling the individual taproots out of your lawn by hand, Calling Edge Point Spraying is The best way to get Dandelions out of your lawn. This should be applied Once everyfive to six weeks.
After the first application you will see withering in the leaves. It can take up to six consecutive applications to completely kill the largest and most established plants.
How do I prevent Dandelions from infiltrating my lawn?
While there is no way to perfectly keep out all Dandelions, there are a few things you can do to help prevent new growth in your lawn. These include:
A Pre-emergenceSpraying in April or May to help prevent germination.
Mowing your lawn on the second highest setting to help crowd out any potential growth and block out the sunlight.
Morning Glory
Description: Long green vines up to 10 feet long. Heart-shaped leaves with bell-shaped flowers
Peak Season: Perennial (year round) Most aggressive in late spring (May- June)
Treatment: Spraying
Morning Glory is characterized by bell-shaped flowers that typically open from dawn till midmorning and close for the rest of the day.
They can be a variety of colors from blue and purple to white.
The vines can grow up to ten feet long in as short as two months, riddled with heart-shaped leaves.
When will I see Morning Glory?
Since Morning Glory is a perennial weed, you will see it year round. As is common with most plants, the primary growing is done during the late spring time (May - June).
How do I get rid of Morning Glory and how long will it take?
Aside from hand pulling the individual taproots out of your lawn by hand, a selective Spraying Done Professionally By Edge Points Licensed Technicians is the best way to get Morning Glory out of your lawn.
This should be applied every five to six weeks. After the second consecutive application you will see withering in the leaves. I can take up to six consecutive applications to completely kill the largest and most established plants.
How do I prevent Morning Glory from getting into my lawn?
While there is no way to perfectly keep out all Morning Glory, there are a few things you can do to help prevent new growth in your lawn. These include:
A Pre-emergenceSpraying in April or May to help prevent germination.
Mowing your lawn on the second highest setting to help crowd out any potential growth and block out the sunlight.
Crabgrass can often be mistaken for Orchard grass, however, there is no crabgrass growing during this time of year.
It is a summer annual weed most commonly seen during July and August and begins to die as the temperatures fall below freezing.
A pre-emergence in April or May will help prevent most of last years seeds from germinating again.
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