Spring is in full swing, and you might be asking yourself, “How do I prepare my lawn for those warmer days and nights to come?” It all starts with a good plan.

Lawn Prepping

When I prepare my lawn each spring, I focus on the needs of my yard after the long winter hibernation:

• Food
• Water
• Protection

Prepare Your Sod

A good rule for a healthy turf or bed is a sufficient depth of six to eight inches for sod roots to take hold and germinate. You want nutrient-rich soil with high amounts of organic material, nitrogen, and oxygen. I prepare my lawn for the coming season by having the soil tested, achieving a balance of nutrients to fertilize my sod.

Watering

Grass has a shallow root system, and it’s essential to hydrate your lawn for at least 20-30 minutes for each zone. From March to May, I prepare my lawn by watering around my home when it cools off a bit—just before the sun rises or just after it goes down. Peak daylight can evaporate the water before it seeps into the ground.

Protection

The first defense to protecting your lawn is to check the covenants in your neighborhood. If no rules forbid you from building a privacy fence, it’s the easiest solution to reducing heavy foot traffic.

Those of you who live in communities where fences are out of the question can reinforce your existing grass traffic tolerance by blending it with a seed. Pathways helped me prepare my lawn for possible people looking for a shortcut through my yard.

The Final Cut

If you’re like me, you’ve probably owned a home with an established yard, or you’ve laid down new sod for a new yard; either way, I always prepare my lawn by starting with a solid plan each spring.

However, if this is your first lawn care year, having a green thumb isn’t a requirement. It is more about being prepared and following your plan—that’s what results in a lush, green yard.