March represents the time of year when warmer temperatures arrive, even if only for a few days at a time. Birds begin their annual homilies and homeowners prepare lawns and gardens for robust growth.
We offer five tips that should give you a head start in preparing a healthy lawn.
Break Out the Lawnmower
When the thermometer exceeds six degrees Celsius, the time has come for you to mow the lawn for the first time of the year. Adjust the lawnmower to cut at its maximum height to prevent slicing through roots. Homeowners should never cut more than one-third off of grass blades.
Eliminate Weeds
Weeds choke the life out of healthy lawns. As with grass, weeds begin to make a comeback after a few days exposure to temperatures above six degrees Celsius. Try to remove weeds by pulling up the roots to prevent another growth cycle. If pulling weed roots is not possible, then apply an even amount of weed killer that closely follows the manufacturer’s application directions. Make sure to apply weed killer during dry stretches of weather to prevent harmful chemicals from running off your lawn.
Remove Thatch from Your Lawn
Thatch forms as a dead layer of organic material that lies between the sun and grass. The prevention of sunlight from reaching your lawn hinders the growth of grass. Your lawn requires ample sunlight, nutrients, and moisture to thrive. Take time to de-thatch your lawn by raking by hand or using an electric lawn rake that quickly removes thatch, without disturbing the grass.
Stop the Growth of Moss
Moss indicates lawn is in poor health. Without the need for roots to grow, moss can grow virtually anywhere. The lack of roots also means you need to apply moss killer to eliminate moss from your lawn. Moss dies within a week, which at that time, you remove the blackened dead moss from the ground. Raking moss before it dies spreads spores around your lawn and/or garden.
Plant Vegetable Seeds
Many types of vegetables require you to plant the seeds in March. Plant vegetable seeds in the weather conditions set forth on the seed package. Just because the calendar has turned to March does not mean the weather has cooperated. Sturdy vegetables such as cauliflower and brussel sprouts grow outdoors under protective cover. Prepare vegetable beds in March for vegetables you plan to grow later in the growing season.
