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(Ames, IA) -- It won't be long before homeowners will start up their lawn mowers for the season. Iowa State University turfgrass specialist Adam Thoms is offering some advice to increase your odds of having a picture perfect lawn.
Thoms recommends routine lawnmower maintenance, including an oil change. He says it's also good to clean out or change the mower's air filter. He says it's best wait to sharpen the mower blade until after the first mow of the season.
“Coming out of winter, there will be a lot of debris in the yard,” explained Thoms. “Things like sticks or rocks can dull the blades, so it’s best to sharpen mower blades immediately after your first mow of the season.”
Thoms says 3 to 3½ inches is an ideal height to cut for most lawns, but allowing the grass to grower longer is good for the root structure and a good hedge against drought.
He says now is the time to apply a spring weed and feed formulation that will provide necessary nutrients to the lawn while preventing crabgrass and other weed seeds from germinating.
“You want to apply your spring weed and feed in mid-April, into the first week of May, or when soil temperatures have reached 55 degrees for three days in a row,” said Thoms. “I typically recommend using most other fertilizers in the fall.”
He says it's possible to overseed a lawn in the spring. Overseeding can help repair or rejuvenate patchy lawns but is most effective when done in the fall. When overseeding in the spring, spring weed and feed formulations should not be applied since they will prevent both desirable grass species and undesirable crabgrass from germinating.
For more resources regarding spring lawn care, visit the Iowa State University Horticulture and Home Pest News Website.