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| Photo Credit: Lynn Means |
| A lush, healthy, green lawn starts with the right spring care. |
We can’t control the weather, but we can have a healthy lawn in spite of it! And the first days of spring are the ideal time to plan a strategy for trouble-free days ahead. The best rule of thumb is to begin your lawn care when your forsythia blooms. Those brightest of yellow flowers are like a starting gun for lawn enthusiasts. So roll up your sleeves, because spring is here!
First things first – you need to get yourself acquainted with the different types of lawn-care products available. As always, carefully read and follow all instructions on any package label so you can be safe and have that lawn of your dreams! | Add Photo to Journal |  | | Photo Credit: Lynn Means | | Get rid of crabgrass before it invades your entire lawn. |
Crabgrass preemergent herbicides help kill and prevent this shallow weed from spreading from late spring on through fall. They form a long-lasting chemical shield in your soil that stops sporadic germination of seedy crabgrass characters so they won’t become a problem later. Most products kill other weeds too, and that’s great. Apply this type of herbicide early, and follow product guidelines for repeat applications in the months to come. It’s wonderful stuff!
Pelletized lime may or may not be necessary. In the Southeast, typically heavy rainfalls leach the alkaline minerals from our soil, so it does have a tendency to be acidic. If your soil test does call for lime, however, the good news is that it’s inexpensive and used frequently. Some gardeners feel comfortable spreading a light application every other year for good measure, but soil testing will confirm whether you really need it or not. An optimum pH level of 6.2-6.5 is ideal for healthy lawns.
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