Having an attractive yard doesn’t just happen without a little bit of effort and leg work. In fact, growing green grass, especially in Colorado, takes much more effort than most people are aware of. Remember, pests and insects have zero boundaries and trees can also use a little bit of spring-time maintenance when growing season starts (learn more HERE about how trees cope naturally with pests and diseases).
With a little help from our Longmont tree care experts, we’ve answered common questions that our customers often ask us about to help prepare your landscape for the early spring season.
Should I get my lawn aerated?
In the spring-time, things begin to grow rapidly and root growth begins to accelerate. Because of this rapid acceleration in plant growth, aeration is important. Grass especially grows quickly in the months from April to June. During this period, your lawn will be an exceptional amount of nutrients and oxygen, and aeration will aid in this process. Clay soils in the front range are especially require aeration. By design, these soils are low in oxygen, so they need quite a bit of oxygen to help establish root systems.
When is the best time of year to fertilize?
It’s common to begin fertilizing a lawn when the snow begins to melt. Often March and into early May is the perfect time of year to accomplish that. Grasses often grow best from April to June. Fertilizing when the grass starts to grow and developing their root systems will provide important nutrients that can establish growth and deeper roots. Those deeper roots will be important when those hotter and dryer months set in.
Should I water my lawn during the early spring months or late winter?
Because of Colorado’s dry climate, we absolutely recommend that you water your lawn during these seasons. This is especially important because Colorado tends to by dry. We’re also closer to the sun, which means the hot sunshine can dry up the ground quickly.
These months still experience freezing temperatures, so it’s important not to turn on your sprinkler system quite yet. If you do, you may end up with irrigation pipes that burst during cold spells. Instead, you should water your lawn with a hose for a short period of time, maybe 5-10 minutes. That should be plenty of moisture for the ground.
How should I care for my trees?
When Spring comes and your trees come out of dormancy, you’ll want to trim off any dead branches that may not have survived the winter period. You’ll notice dead branches because no buds will be forming on them in the Spring compared to other branches on the tree. Trimming off these dead branches will allow the others to flourish.
Be sure to trim off any dead branches, as they will become a hazard to your property or even humans. They can also contribute to decay and disease. Make sure to contact a tree trimming professional in Boulder in order to have your trees trimmed properly and to make sure that it’s done safely.
Learn More: Basics of Tree Care Maitenance On Your Property
Should I sharpen my lawn mower blade before mowing in the Springtime?
If you want your lawn to look pristine, then 100% you should sharpen your blades. Dull lawn mower blades can make your lawn dry out quickly, due to the jagged cuts. You can take your lawn more to companies that will sharpen your blades for you. If you want to go the DIY route, you can use a metal file to sharpen your blades. If your blades are extremely dull, you can also have them replaced by a professional.
What’s snow mold and how can I prevent it?
Snow mold is a type of fungus that can damage or kill your grass after your snow melts in late winter. Snow mold is common in Colorado and if not addressed, can damage most lawns. This is especially common in the Front Range.
To prevent snow mold, it’s important to rake areas of your lawn after the snow melts. Pay attention to the more compacted areas of your lawn. Raking your lawn will help circulate the area and stop the mold from becoming an issue.
If you have any additional questions on how to prepare your lawn for the springtime in Longmont, feel free to contact one of our Boulder tree care specialists for a free quote!
You can also visit some of our other blog posts for additional advice on taking care of your trees written by our Longmont tree service crew!