Lawn Doctor Offers Five Quick Tips for Spring Lawn Care

HOLMDEL, N.J., March 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As spring nears and green creeps back into the landscape, lawns across the nation will need a little extra help to recover from the harsh winter months and return to lush, healthy life. Lawn Doctor, the nation's largest lawn care franchise with 450 units across the country, wants to help homeowners across the nation see their yards spring back to life.

"Spring lawns require extra care following chilly winter temperatures and dormant growth," said John Buechner, Lawn Doctors Horticulture expert. "It's also a critical time to take steps to insure a beautiful summer lawn. Fertilization, weed and pest control combined with proper mowing will stop problems before they start and keep your lawn looking its best."

With over 40 years of experience in the industry, Lawn Doctor knows a few tricks when it comes to lawn care. Here are a few spring lawn care tips designed to promote a healthy yard well into the summer:

Fertilization: Spring is a crucial time to fertilize because it replenishes the food reserves your yard draws from while dormant in the winter and fuels grass' rapid growth phase. A top recommendation in lawn care is to utilize a  balanced fertilizer consisting of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is best, with 30 percent of the nitrogen slow release. Don't over-fertilize your lawn – no more than one pound of nitrogen should be applied per 1,000 square feet. A thick, healthy lawn also helps prevent weeds.

Weed control: Apply a pre-emergent weed killer on lawns to prevent grassy weeds from germinating. Spring broadleaf weeds like dandelions, clovers and plantains, are best prevented by maintaining a proper mowing height and fertilization. After a mild winter, annual weeds that germinate in the fall, like henbit and chickweed, will be more visible and require higher levels of broadleaf weed control through herbicides.

Pest control/Disease repair: Severe winters may increase the incidence of winter diseases such as snow mold and Bermuda dead spot. Proper cultural care is important in helping your lawn recover from stress related winter diseases. Properly timed fertilizer application and mowing at the recommended height for your grass type are two items that will aid in the recovery of your lawn.

Mowing: Contrary to popular believe, setting your mower at a very low height can actually increase weeds by exposing the soil surface to sunlight and removing stored nutrients in leaf blades. Cool weather grasses, such as bluegrass, ryegrass and fescues, should maintain a height of 2.5 to 3.5 inches. Warm season grasses, like bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine and centipede, should be kept at 1.5 to 2.5 inches tall.

Spring is also the perfect time to plant summer annuals and vegetables, but hold off on seeding until the fall when fewer weeds, more moisture and cooler temperatures allow seedlings to develop.

For those lacking a green thumb, Lawn Doctor now offers the 60 Second Quote, an online tool that provides a free lawn care quote via satellite imagery in just three clicks. Click here for more spring lawn care tips or an estimate on our lawn maintenance services.

ABOUT LAWN DOCTOR

Founded in 1967, Lawn Doctor is a 450-plus-unit franchised American brand with local owners. The award winning franchise, including a No. 1 billing as best in category by Entrepreneur Magazine for more than 20 years straight, has established itself as a leader in the lawn care industry through innovative technology, its ability to satisfy the needs of consumers on a national level, and its development and expansion within the industry. For more information on Lawn Doctor, visit www.lawndoctor.com.

SOURCE Lawn Doctor