As the last hints of winter fade away in Fredericksburg, our lawns begin to wake up and it’s time to read our tips for spring lawn care. The green shoots emerging from their slumber are a welcome sight, but they need the right care to grow into the lush, healthy turf we all want for summer. Early spring lawn care is your best opportunity to set the stage for a season of strong growth and resilience against Texas heat and weeds.
A little work now prevents a lot of headaches later. By focusing on feeding your lawn and using the right equipment, you can give your grass the head start it needs. This guide provides simple, effective tips to get your lawn ready for the growing season.
1. Clean Up and Assess Your Lawn
Before you can feed your lawn, you need to prepare it. Winter often leaves behind a layer of debris that can smother new growth.
- Rake It Out: Start by thoroughly raking your lawn to remove any fallen leaves, twigs, and matted grass. This allows sunlight and air to reach the soil.
- Check for Compaction: If your soil feels hard and water puddles after rain, it may be compacted. Aerating the lawn by pulling out small plugs of soil will improve drainage and help nutrients reach the roots.
2. Choose the Right Fertilizer
Feeding your lawn in the spring replenishes the nutrients it used to survive the winter. A well-fed lawn is better equipped to choke out weeds and withstand stress.
- Timing is Key: For Fredericksburg lawns, it is best to apply your first round of fertilizer after the grass has fully greened up and you have mowed it once or twice. Fertilizing too early can feed winter weeds.
- Understand the Numbers: Fertilizer bags show three numbers (e.g., 21-0-0). These represent Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). Nitrogen promotes green, leafy growth, making it the most important nutrient for spring. Look for a fertilizer with a high first number.
- Weed and Feed Products: Consider using a “weed and feed” product that contains a pre-emergent herbicide. This will fertilize your grass while preventing weed seeds like crabgrass from germinating.
3. Get Your Tools Ready
Dull mower blades and poorly maintained equipment can make your job harder and even damage your lawn.
- Sharpen Mower Blades: Dull blades tear grass instead of cutting it cleanly, leaving ragged edges that are more susceptible to disease. Start the season with a freshly sharpened blade.
- Check Your Spreader: Whether you use a broadcast or drop spreader, make sure it is clean and calibrated correctly. This ensures you apply fertilizer evenly and avoid burned or striped patches.
- Prepare Your Water Hose: Check for leaks in your hose and sprinklers. Consistent watering will be crucial once the warmer, drier weather sets in.
Your Fredericksburg Lawn Care Headquarters
Taking these simple steps in early spring will reward you with a beautiful, resilient lawn all season long. A little effort now makes a huge difference.
For all your spring lawn care needs, visit Lochte Feed. Conveniently located in Fredericksburg, Texas, we offer a wide selection of premium fertilizers, weed and feed products, and high-quality lawn tools. Our team can provide great lawn tips to help you choose the right products for your specific needs.
We’re proud to stock an array of organic fertilizers, mulches, and soil amendments. Enhance your garden’s life with our full line of Medina products, alongside trusted brands like Hi-Yield, Fertilome, and Control Solutions. To make application a breeze, we also offer efficient liquid sprayers.
Don’t forget to explore our variety of plants, flowers, and vegetables seeds, available in both bulk and packets for your convenience.