Secret to a Great Yard
It’s springtime and that means your yard work is about to start piling up. The facts are in and it turns out less work will actually result in a more attractive lawn.

When you start mowing again set your blades to a height of two to two and a half inches, and cut the grass only once a week. When the weather gets really hot again, every other week is fine. The benefits of taller grass are a healthier, stronger and greener lawn. The taller grass also creates shade the reduces the weeds that will sprout up.

You’ll also only want to water when there has been no rain for more than three of four weeks. We’ve all seen that neighbor that waters endlessly, and more ends up all over the driveway and sidewalks. When you do water, go for a full one inch soaking. Use a cup under he sprinkler pattern to measure - it takes longer than you think. Frequent shallow watering keeps the roots close to the surface where they are more susceptible to drought and disease.

Don’t be tempted to apply fertilizer in the spring. This should be done in September and November. You risk damaging and suffocating your sprouting plants.

For a quick fix to bare spots use rye grass. While proper reseeding should be managed in late August or early September when the ground is cooler, rye grass is hearty enough to make due until you’re ready.