Spring has sprung and it’s time to give the lawn at your rental home a little TLC. Even renters want their own piece of grassy paradise; not to mention a lush, green lawn adds major curb appeal.
Taking care of the lawn in the spring is manageable when you know what to do. Here are some tips to get the lawn at your rental home in tip-top shape.
Dethatch
Before you can decide whether or not you need to dethatch your lawn, you need to know what it is. Thatch is a layer of dead grass, roots and debris that builds up between the soil surface and the green grass blades above it. Having too much thatch isn’t good for your grass because it keeps water and nutrients from getting to the roots. One of the simplest ways to dethatch your lawn is to buy a dethatching rake. By raking the grass and getting deep in the root you can get rid of the thatch.
Aerate
When the rake doesn’t cut it to get rid of the thatch, you may need to rent a core aerator. This is usually the case when the thatch is more than a half an inch thick. An aerator pulls plugs out of your soil to allow air and water to get to the roots. You may need to aerate if you also notice water puddling on the lawn after it rains or thin, patchy grass in spots. Unlike dethatching, aerating is not something you need to do every season. The pros recommend every year or two.
Weed and Feed
Crab grass and weeds can make a lawn look unkempt. In order to get this under control, you may need to weed and feed. Weed and feed is a combination of fertilizer and herbicide. It kills off the weeds you don’t want while feeding the grass to grow the way you want it to.
Using weed and feed allows your lawn to absorb water and nutrients better. If you do decide to use weed and feed be sure no rain is in the forecast for a couple of days because you don’t want it to get washed away. Also, be sure weeds are actively growing in order to get the best results.
Repair Bare Spots
Bald spots on a lawn can leave an impression that you’re not keeping up with your rental home. In order for your lawn to look full and plush, you’ll want to fill in the bare spots. Start by raking out the area so there are no big clumps in the soil. Next, put down a thin layer of seeds. Rake the seeds into the topsoil. Be sure to water your seeds. You may want to cover the area with straw or hay to lock in moisture and to avoid any animals from getting in there.
Overseed
Overseeding a lawn can help rejuvenate your lawn as well as cover any patchy areas. You’ll want to start by mowing your lawn to the lowest setting. Make sure you bag all the clippings so the seeds get right into the soil. Next, apply your seeds. Using a seeder is the easiest way especially if you have a large space. Now water your seedlings at least once a day until the new grass catches up with the existing lawn. The end product should be a lawn with massive curb appeal!
While you’ll want to bag your grass clippings if you are going to overseed, leaving the clippings on the lawn is beneficial to the grass. Leaving the clippings can actually act as a fertilizer by recycling nutrients back into the lawn. Save yourself some time and money if your lawn just needs a little touch up. All you have to do is mow the lawn and leave the clippings.
Spring lawn maintenance doesn’t need to be a massive chore, but, having a beautiful lawn will help both draw renters and keep them happy! In the end, it is well worth the effort.
