After the winter, the lawn presents a battered appearance. High time for professional lawn care. You can find out here which fitness program around the first lawn cut in spring transforms the stubble meadow into a velvety green carpet.
Careful preparation simplifies maintenance
During the cold season, tangles, moss, and discolored areas dominate the lawn. The causes are high snow pressure and permanent wetness, which clog the blades of grass over a long period of time.
In addition, all kinds of plant remains have accumulated, which the cold wind blew in. It is therefore important to prepare the stressed grass surface after the winter. In February, these measures are recommended:
- Sweep up all leaves and other plant remains with a fan broom or rake and dispose of them in the compost
- Then sweep over it lightly with the street broom to loosen stuck lawn parts
- Rake any noticeable holes in the lawn with a little compost and sand to close them
When is the best time for the first lawn cut in spring?
Hobby gardeners are always unsure about the right time for the first lawn cut in spring. The following signals point to the ideal date in March:
- The temperatures no longer drop below 10 degrees Celsius (50F) at night
- Early bloomers like daffodils indicate the end of the winter break in the growth
- The blades of grass have reached a height of about 8 centimeters
- The weather will be overcast and mild with no rain
- The lawn is as dry as possible
If you want quantitative proof, you can add up all mean temperatures above 0 degrees Celsius (32F) from January. If these add up to more than 180 degrees, spring lawn care can begin. This value is usually reached in March.
How to properly mow the lawn
If all requirements are met to your satisfaction, the mower can be used for the first lawn cut in the spring. Set the device to a cutting depth of 3-4 cm (1.5 inches).
If the lawn has grown higher than 8cm (3 inches), mow in two stages, first to 6 cm (2 inches) and then to 3 cm (1.7 inches). Ideally, you should not step on the uncut lawn.
Tip
With a simple trick, you can automatically aerate your lawn with every mowing cycle. To do this, simply strap lawn aerator sandals under your work shoes. The robust sandals are equipped with 5 cm (2 inches) long ground spikes that supply the turf with oxygen with every step.
Liming in March keeps moss in check
The be-all and end-all of a vital, deep green lawn is the correct pH value of the soil, which is around 6-7. If the value is below this, more mosses than blades of grass thrive in the acidic soil.
An uncomplicated test from the garden center provides information on whether the pH value can be regulated with the help of lime. The following table gives proven guide values for dosing lawn lime :
| Guide values for lime per square meter of lawn (10.7 square feet) | Light bottom with lots of sand | Medium soil with clay and sand | Heavy soil of loam and clay |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH below 5 | 150-200 grams | 300-400 grams | 350-450 grams |
| pH 5-6 | 120-180 grams | 180-250 grams | 250-350 grams |
| pH 6-7 | do not lime | do not lime | do not lime |
| pH above 7 | do not lime | do not lime | do not lime |
Liming is done immediately after scarifying in March since the aerated lawn can now optimally utilize the active ingredient.
How to properly fertilize your lawn after winter
Adequate nutrient supply goes hand in hand with the first lawn cut in spring and scarifying. Experienced hobby gardeners allow 3-4 weeks after liming before the lawn fertilizer is applied.
Environmentally conscious hobby gardeners do not use mineral fertilizers, as these are quickly washed out and pollute the groundwater with nitrate. Organic fertilizers promote the growth and vitality of the lawn more sustainably and over the long term.
Plant manure made from stinging nettles or comfrey works wonders here. In addition to the NPK fertilizers, there are also a number of biological preparations to be found in specialist shops. How to do it right:
- Apply fertilizer granules preferably with a spreader
- Then water the lawn repeatedly
- Distribute liquid fertilizer with the pressure sprayer
- Avoid overlapping application if possible
- Only mow again when all fertilizer grains have rained in
Tips & Tricks
Mowing the lawn and naturally fertilizing is now possible in one operation. The new lawnmower with mulching function shreds the clippings into the tiniest particles that remain between the blades of grass.
This eliminates the annoying and tedious disposal. At the same time, the lawn is regularly supplied with fresh nutrients and shines in a lush green.
