Spring Lawn Care Tips for Homeowners in Western Massachusetts

Tip: Don’t neglect pest control

Western Massachusetts is well known for its spring and summer pests, so don’t put off pest control until the hot summer months. Spring is the best time to start seasonal pest control; the sooner you start, the higher the chances that you’ll be able to ward off serious pests throughout the growing season. You’ll need to look out for mosquitoes, ticks, as well as moles, which are fairly common in our area.

Tip: Clean up as early as possible

Don’t wait until the weather’s nice and warm to start your spring lawn care cleaning and maintenance. It’s important to start in the early spring so that your lawn will have the best head start possible as the weather warms up. Early April is usually the best time to start your clean-up since the snow will be melted and the ground will be soft enough to work with. During the spring, look out for thatch spots and aerate them in order to help repair damage done by snow, salt or snow blows. You can also begin pulling weeds and raking your soil to clean up dead plants and other forms of debris.

Tip: Don’t mow until your grass is grown

One of the biggest mistakes that homeowners make is mowing their lawns too early in the spring. Avoid mowing until at least late April, as this will give your lawn enough time to grow deep roots; if you mow too early in the spring, you’ll disturb the growing process and may potentially stunt your lawn.

Tip: Plant your annuals

Spring is the best time to plant your annuals, as by this time the weather in this region will be warm enough to avoid sudden frosts or cold spells. Opt to seed your spring annuals, like pansies, during the month of April. Once May rolls around, you can start working on preparing your garden and flower beds for those plants and flowers that require warm May and June weather. Perennials should be planted in May, along with most shrubs and trees.

Tip: Prepare to fertilize regularly

A Western Massachusetts winter can really do damage to a lawn, particularly if it was a harsher winter season. You will need to be prepared to fertilize regularly–monthly is best–in order to help the lawn repair itself during the spring and summer. Your lawn will need the most fertilizer during the spring and early summer periods, as this will help your grass regain essential nutrients and health lost during the cold months. Most homeowners should start fertilizing in late April and keep it going once a month through June.

If you’re a homeowner in Western Massachusetts, definitely keep the above spring lawn tips in mind to help ensure that your lawn looks its best during the spring and summer months.