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MN Lawn Care Tips - Great Lawns
in Minnesota Start With Early Care
Everybody has seen it. It doesn’t take an expert
to drive through a neighborhood and spot the house that obsesses
on their yard (in fact, it might be they do!) and the house
that only mows when the city is knocking on their door.
In Minnesota, most people get excited when the snow starts to
melt and the grass starts getting green. So, what should
you do to give your lawn a head start? You do want a beautiful
lawn without devoting your entire summer to it, right?
A lot of people suggest getting your lawn ready for spring before
the first snowfall…but of course time gets away from a
lot of people. So, here are some tips for those who weren’t
able to find time to baby their yard before the snow came.
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1. When most of the snow has melted, get your
wheelbarrow out and start picking up the debris left behind
from the fall and anything the snowplows may have thrown
into your lawn. You will want to get your rake out
so that you get all of the twigs, branches, leaves, etc.
that are in the yard. (This will also make it easier
to mow when it comes time for that!) |
| 2. Then get out your shovel (hopefully for
the last time) and flatten out any piles that are taking
longer to melt. They might be lining your sidewalk
from shoveling previously or in areas that don’t
get as much sun. Why? While the extra snow shouldn’t
kill the grass, it might stunt the growth and that won’t
make for a superb lawn. |
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3. Fertilizing in the spring. I am a
firm believer that it is easier to start a nice lawn early
than it is to bring a dull lawn back to life in midsummer.
So, go to the local hardware store and search for a fertilizer
for the spring (it should say when to use the specific
mixtures on the back). Remember not to over fertilize
because this can actually cause more harm to the grass
than good, so read the directions thoroughly. |
| 4. Attend to any lawn problems you
had last year. Did you have crabgrass (or any other
nuisance) invade your yard last summer? It is vital
to stop these annoyances before they can get started.
Some, including crabgrass, have a very limited timeframe
to be taken care of each year. (See my other articles
regarding this) |
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5. Areas of patchy grass? I like to use
a method called “overseeding.” This
is when you put down a lot of grass seed in the patchy
areas. It will make your grass grow faster and stronger,
and of course you will have a much fuller looking lawn!
Don’t do this too early…the grass seed you
choose should have directions for when to plant it! |
So, there you have it! Some early spring lawn care tips
for my Minnesota people! This might not make your lawn the
nicest on the block in one summer, but if you follow these steps
every spring, your yard will eventually be one of the best!
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