Winter is hard on lawns. Mounds of snow can compress the grass. Leaves left on the ground over winter can become breeding grounds for fungus and diseases. Burrowing rodents like mice build tunnels through the snow and leave behind little trails where they’ve grazed on grass and roots. Salty de-icers and dog urine can leave patches of yellow grass. What you do for lawn care in early spring can have a big impact on how your lawn will look for the rest of the year.

The most important thing you should do in early spring is give your lawn a light raking with a fan rake to loosen up the thatch and stand the blades of grass upright. If you’ve never done this before and there’s a thick layer of thatch, having your lawn professionally power raked is a good idea. A thick mat of thatch prevents water and air from getting to the roots and it encourages the growth of fungus that can damage your lawn. If the soil is severely compacted, now is also a good time to have your lawn aerated.

Once the lawn has been raked, early spring is also an excellent time for a light re-seeding. Don’t spread too much grass seed though because over competition isn’t good for a lawn that’s just waking up from a harsh winter. You can spread a little topsoil but a light raking after the grass seed has been spread is usually enough.

We love our dogs but sometimes urine damage is particularly noticeable in the spring. You can apply lime to damaged areas to counteract the acid in the soil. If your lawn has been damaged by road salt, a bit of gypsum will help it to come back.

If you love your lawn but not the hard work needed to keep it looking its best, contact 5 Star Landscaping in Calgary today and ask them about their spring lawn cleanup services.