The inclement weather conditions of winter makes a lawn weary. Following a few simple steps will help the lawn recover its lush green coloration and flourish. Raking, repairing damaged areas, renovating the lawn's appearance and correct fertilizer applications restore a lawn to its pre-winter glory. New Lawn Growth During the cold winter months, grass enters a state of dormancy. It will cease growing which makes its general appearance become ragtag. Its lack of growth during the winter also makes it more susceptible to damage from freezing, drainage issues and snow accumulation. In order for the grass to flourish and grow correctly, the winter damage must be fixed. Clear Debris Before undertaking spring lawn care, allow the area to dry out. A wet or soggy lawn can sustain damage when cultivated. The roots will be easily pulled from the soil and the blades bent or broke. Once the lawn has dried out, it should be thoroughly raked to help aerate the soil. Raking will remove accumulated winter debris. It will also open up the soil and the grass blades to create air circulation. Good air circulation around the crown of the plants and each blade of grass will help prevent fungal problems from developing. A basic hard tine rake works adequately to help remove dead grass plants and lawn debris or a lawn vacuum or leaf blower for larger lawns can help with larger lawns. Post-Winter Scarification Moss and thatch buildup can occur from the long winter months. A lawn that suffers excessive thatch or moss buildup will benefit from a scarification treatment. Scarification should never take place if there is still any danger of spring frosts. Consider performing scarification in mid-April or later. If the lawn has excessive moss, use a moss killer two to three weeks before scarification. The lawn should be newly mown and moderately wet to successfully scarify it. Use a hand spring bok rake or a powered scarifier. The goal is to tear up the thatch, dead grass plants and any weeds. The grass will usually suffer extensive visual damage after scarification. If bare patches occur, consider patching the areas by reseeding. Weeds Spring is the ideal time to address pending weed. In regions where crab grass is a problem, apply a pre-emergence crabgrass weed killer to the lawn during the first weeks of April. Avoid using a crabgrass weed killer that contains fertilizers. Fertilizing the lawn too early will cause a weak root system. After applying the pre-emergence weed killer, water the lawn with about 1/2 inch of water. Mowing the lawn to a height of 2 inches will also help control spring weeds. Crabgrass seeds begin to germinate when the soil temperature reaches 60 degrees Fahrenheit so treatment with a pre-emergence weed killer will help prevent the seeds from germinating. Fertilizer Fertilizing in the spring replenishes the grass plant's food supply. The fertilizer will encourage the grass to develop healthy, new growth and a strong root system. An adequate, balanced fertilizer will create a thick lawn that will be able to more easily combat weeds by choking them out. Apply fertilizer when the grass begins to show signs of breaking dormancy. Grass roots will grow when the temperature is between 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Its top growth will develop when the temperature reaches 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Never fertilize a lawn too early in the spring because the new growth may suffer damage if a late spring frost should hit. Use a balanced spring lawn fertilizer and avoid high-nitrogen mixes. A high-nitrogen based lawn fertilizer will encourage the lawn to grow and develop a deep green coloration but a shallow root system. The shallow roots will be unable to withstand a summer drought. Apply fertilizer applications to the lawn in mid-May. Use a fertilizer that offers at least 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn space. The fertilizer label will usually have general application guidelines. After applying the fertilizer, be sure to saturate the lawn to prevent the grass blades from sustaining damage from the fertilizer. Nitrogen can burn grass blades. A slow release nitrogen fertilizer has the least chance of accidentally harming the grass. New Season Overseeding If the lawn suffers from bare spots or a patchy appearance it can benefit from spring seeding. Lawn seeds will not germinate until the soil reaches 65 degrees Fahrenheit, so avoid seeding the lawn if it remains too cold. The ideal time to overseed an existing lawn is usually after mid-April. Seed Kentucky bluegrass at a rate of 1.5 pounds per 1,000 square feet, use 3 pounds of fine fescue grass seeds per 1,000 square feet or use 6 pounds of tall fescue per 1,000 feet. Spreading straw mulch across the newly laid seeds will help keep them from blowing away and will also help keep the seeds moist. Regularly water the newly laid seeds and avoid allowing them to dry out. The seeds require even moisture to successfully germinate. Usually one bale of straw per 1,000 feet will adequately protect the seeds. When seeding a lawn in the spring, consider using a starter fertilizer that contains Tupersan to avoid a crabgrass infestation. Look Forward To A Green Lawn All Year With only a bit of spring care, a lawn can look amazing by summer. It will also help prepare the lawn for the following winter by encouraging it to produce a strong, deep root system and store valuable nutrients. Visit Reedsburg True Value Super Store today for all your lawn and garden care supplies! We have what you want to grow a healthy green lawn and beautiful flower garden. . . . . Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6880902

Pruning Trees And Shrubs In The Spring - What You Should Be Pruning And What You Should Not

There are two types of pressure washers: gas-powered and electric. Gas-powered models are more powerful and mobile because they don’t require an extension cord. Electric models are usually less expensive and easier to carry and have a trigger-activated on/off feature. A machine with a pressure level between 1,300 and 1,600 pounds per square inch (PSI) is good for general cleaning of your home’s exterior surfaces, such as siding, sidewalks, patios and patio furniture. A machine with a pressure level between 1,800 and 3,000 (PSI) is for more serious work like stripping paint or stain off siding and decks. Some jobs could require more power though, so if you're not sure stop in and ask an expert at the Reedsburg True Value for advice, if needed. Get Prepared Assemble washer, if needed, as directed by the manufacturer. Read instructions carefully before operating the washer. Connect it to your water spigot with a garden hose. Be sure that the hose is not kinked and that the connection is tight. Loose connections can be dangerous under pressure. Squeeze the trigger of the washer wand to release any air inside before you turn on the water. For a gas-powered unit, fill the washer’s reservoir with gasoline to the recommended amount. For an electrical washer, connect the unit to power.

Landscape lighting should be an integral part of any home landscape. Not only does it provide security and safety, it spotlights your landscaping features and complements your home. Common uses include emphasizing landscape formations, shedding light on walkway areas and adding home security. Walk around your yard with a flashlight to visualize how lighting would look in your yard. Determine where lights should be placed and how many you would need. You can light up walkways by placing lights close to each other so that the illumination from each overlaps. Accent lighting near walls or underneath trees can create great highlighting effects. Placing lights in front of trees and other features can create dramatic shadows on fences and walls. To add interest, think about mixing up spacing and patterns. Remember that less is more. Don't add so many lights that they end up competing with each other. Be careful not to choose lighting locations that will get in the way of lawnmowers or foot traffic. Make sure your lighting won't beam directly into your home or, your neighbor's. Try to plan your light installation when you're landscaping your yard. When it comes to planning, it's much easier to do both tasks at the same time. Once you have some ideas, draw a plan. Using a scale of 1/8" for every foot, include the location of your home's exterior outlets, trees, shrubbery, walkways, fountains, deck or patio, as well as any areas you want to light for safety. Don't worry if you're not an artist — even a rough sketch will do the trick. Once you've determined how many light fixtures you need, choose which kind you want. You may prefer unobtrusive outdoor fixtures, or you might have something more decorative in mind. Stop by Martens True Value store in Reedsburg for inspiration and to shop for solar and LED outdoor lighting products. Tier lighting and path lights are good for illuminating walkways. Lantern lights can also be hung along walkways, and can complement porches, patio areas, flower and mulch beds. Well lights and floodlights are great for accent lighting. When possible, use lights with rotating heads. These are very versatile and allow you to create a variety of effects. Motion detectors can be useful in your landscape lighting. Use lights with built-in motion detectors or install independent detectors. Aim motion-detecting lights at your gate, front porch or along walkways which will turn on when someone approaches.