How do you get the greenest grass on the block? The trick is to spring into action as soon as the snow has melted and temperatures begin to rise. Our yards serve little purpose all winter long beyond functioning as a restroom for our dogs, resulting in dead patches and discoloration. If you want to restore your lawn grass to its original glory—or even better, make your lawn so lush it makes the neighbors green with envy—then follow these spring lawn care tips on Long Island!

How to Make Your Lawn Thick and Green, Fast!

Don’t let a patchy, discolored lawn cramp your style. Go through these steps in early spring, so you can flex on Flanders—or whatever your neighbor’s name is—with your ultra-impressive yard full of gorgeous green grass.  

Dethatch and Aerate

Your grass will be matted and compacted after getting packed down by snow and stepped on all winter. Pulling a rake through the lawn will loosen and untangle that old grass, allowing for a fresh new set to take its place. 

Follow up the dethatching with aeration to improve compacted soil, allowing for better drainage and air circulation. Use a spike or a plug aerator and punch it into the ground to make skinny holes throughout the soil.

Fertilize in Early Spring

Fertilizer will help ensure your plants have all the nutrients they need to do their basic functions, like spreading roots and growing strong, green leaves. A four-step fertilizer system has the added benefits of weed and pest control, so it simplifies the process of achieving that perfect green lawn. 

Don’t be tempted to use extra fertilizer for faster results. Over-fertilizing will stress out your plants, create microbial imbalances in the soil, and harm the environment. Too much phosphorus in the soil will contaminate groundwater, threatening aquatic ecosystems. Organic fertilizers are less likely to have adverse effects if used in higher quantities, so these products are worth considering if you want to keep things as eco-friendly as possible. 

Do a Soil Test and Apply Appropriate Amendments

Soil tests will tell you if the soil lacks any essential nutrients or if the pH is off-balance. If you’ve got soil that’s too acidic, you can add lime (the gardening kind, not the fruit) to raise the pH. If your soil is too alkaline, you can spread some granular elemental sulfur. Applying Love Your Soil by Jonathan Green will help to give your lawn an extra boost of beneficial bacteria to nourish your grass. Use it after aerating to make sure it soaks in deeply.

Look Out for Pests and Disease

Pest infestations, diseases, and fungi are easier to treat if you catch them early! Different issues will have different effects, so try to keep an eye on any distinctive changes or discoloration. For example, snow mold can appear as a crusty coating on your grass that’s white or pink. Some pests can create dead ring-shaped patches in the grass. 

If you spot something strange in your lawn, the easiest thing you can do is take a photo and email it to joe@deesnursery.com, or drop into Dees’ Nursery with a sample of the affected area and we’ll help you find the best product to beat it. 

Reseed the Dead Patches

After you’ve treated any problem patches in the lawn, wait until it’s safe to reseed (based on the recommendations listed on your product’s package) and apply some fresh grass seed. Water it generously, and don’t let it dry out for extended periods until it has sprouted and thickened.  

Water Every Three Days 

Three is the magic number for watering in spring. Try to water your lawn early in the morning if possible—the moisture won’t evaporate as quickly when the ground hasn’t heated up from the afternoon sun. Later in the summer, if it gets very hot and dry, you may need to increase your watering to once every day. 

Don’t Mow too Short

If your grass is cut too short, the roots won’t spread well, and weeds are more likely to take root. 2-3 inches is a safe height, so don’t cut it any shorter than that. 

Having a lush, green lawn adds major aesthetic value to your home and makes your outdoor green space much lovelier for lounging in during the warmer months. Outdoor entertaining just doesn’t have the same appeal when there are icky, brown patches everywhere!

For all the supplies and tools you need for lawn care in 2022, visit us at Dees’ Nursery and ask our experts for recommendations for the best products available on Long Island.