by Sarah Forhan

Created on: February 17, 2008   Last Updated: September 02, 2011

The start of spring is a joyous time; the soil starts to come alive from its long winter sleep. The onset of spring is my favorite time to do yard work; there are few bugs, the weather is mild, and it's good for the soul to get fresh air after being cooped up all winter.

There are specific chores that need to be taken care of at the start of spring. I try to not to think of them as chores but rather a marvelous adventure in my own little horticultural playground.

Clean-up after "Old Man Winter"! Pick up all sticks and debris that blew into your yard during winter. Rake all the leaves that blew against the house, sheds, fences, and other structures.

Rake your lawn. It is very important to rake away the thatch that has built up on your lawn to give way for new growth. The best way to get up the thatch (excess grass clippings that build-up above the soil) is to use a de-thatching rake. If you do not have a specialty rake you can use a stiff-tined rake or attach a de-thatching blade to your lawn mower.

Feed your lawn. I like to give my lawn a slow-release fertilizer. It works well because it gives the lawn nutrients but doesn't push the grass to grow sooner than it is ready. I have found the slow-release fertilizer is perfect for early spring. Baby steps with your lawn, work the best in early springtime. Especially, because this time of the year you can never be quite sure what the weather has in store for us.

Make sure to take care of lawn mower maintenance. Now is the time to get the lawn mower ready for its big grand entrance into summer. Don't put off caring for your lawn mower. Summer will come sooner than you think. First, inspect the lawn mower to make sure all the nuts and bolts are secure. Check the spark plugs if they are showing wear they will need to be changed. While the spark plugs are out it is also a good time to remove the lawn mower blade. (With the spark plugs removed you can be sure the lawn mower will not start). Use a file to sharpen the blade. Make sure to run the file along the same angle as the blade. Inspect the oil, if it is low, old, or dirty, properly dispose of it and replace it with new oil. Please remember to check your lawn mower manual before doing any maintenance.

Working on my lawn gives me great pleasure. However, if your lawn is something that you tend to think of as a dreaded chore I would encourage you to think of it another way. A nice lawn can increase your property value by at least 15 percent. If working on your lawn doesn't bring you joy, increasing your property value should!

Happy Spring and remember; start early, pace yourself, and your lawn work will not become too overwhelming.

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