Spring temperatures and rain have arrived which means lawns are starting to wake up from their winter dormancy. What should be on the to-do maintenance list to ensure our lawns are healthy this growing season?
Pre-emergents are great for controlling crabgrass and other perennial weeds that can take over quickly if left unchecked. Crabgrass pre-emergents should be applied when soil temperatures are above 55 degrees in the upper 1-2 inches for a couple days, usually mid-April to mid-May. The key to success is catching emerging weeds when they are small. To learn more about pre-emergent applications visit University of Minnesota turf science page https://turf.umn.edu/news/spring-preemergent-applications-crabgrass.
Fertilization schedules can depend on what needs to be addressed in the lawn. There are many different types of fertilizer and choosing the right one will limit over fertilization. Visit https://extension.umn.edu/lawn-care/fertilizing-lawns to learn more about fertilizer application schedules.
Dethatching and aerating lawns should be done in late August into early October when grass has been growing vigorously and can recover quickly. To learn more about when and how to de-thatch and aerate lawns visit U of M Extension website https://extension.umn.edu/lawn-care/how-control-thatch-your-lawn.
Lawn pests and diseases can be frustrating. What are the common issues seen in Northern Lawns? See mushrooms growing in your lawn, not to worry, most mushrooms are not a sign of a disease or pest, but rather a natural process. Mushrooms use decaying plant matter, like old plant roots, branches, blades of grass and thatch for their development. Mushrooms will appear in periods of high irrigation or rainfall. Learn more about mushrooms in lawns by visiting https://extension.umn.edu/lawn-care/mushrooms-lawns. Insects and animals can cause lawn issues and can be hard to control. Learn more about common insects for Minnsota lawns by visiting https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/lawn-insects.
For more information on maintaining a healthy lawn this growing season and beyond visit https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/lawn-care or contact your Local Clay County Extension Education, Jill Patrie by email at patri350@umn.edu or by phone at 218-299-7338.