1. Ace the (soil) test<\/span><\/h2> The best way to help your lawn is to know what it needs. And the best way to do that is with a soil test.
<\/p>
North Carolina makes this easy for homeowners. Contact the Mecklenburg County Extension<\/a> office for a small cardboard box and form. Then, take a soil sample<\/a>.
<\/p> - Wait until after<\/em> you take a soil test to add compost or other amendments.<\/li>
- Get a stainless steel or plastic trowel and bucket.<\/li>
- Take 5-10 samples from all over the sample area. <\/li>
- Dig 4\u201d deep to sample a lawn or 6\u201d deep to sample a garden. <\/li>
- Mix the samples together and put the soil in the box.<\/li>
- Mail in the box or drop it by your local Extension office.<\/li>
- Wait a few weeks for the results.<\/li>
- You\u2019re ready to grow!<\/li><\/ol>
From April 1-Nov. 30, the test is free. From Dec. 1-March 31, the test is $4. <\/p>
2. Prevent weeds<\/span><\/h2> ![\"area](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_1024px-southern_california_weeds_in_march.jpg\")
John Phelan | Wikimedia Commons<\/a> | CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> If you already see weeds in your lawn, skip this and go to \u201cTreat weeds\u201d below. If none of your summer weeds have sprouted yet, this information is for you.
<\/p>
Early spring is the time to prevent summer annual weeds, like crabgrass, from sprouting. Timing is critical<\/strong> to making sure your pre-emergent herbicide is effective. In Charlotte, plan to apply a pre-emergent from mid-February to early March, or right before the dogwoods start blooming. If you want advice from other local gardeners, contact the Mecklenburg County Extension<\/a> office to talk to their staff, or contact a Master Gardener<\/a> volunteer.<\/p> 3. Turn on the sprinklers<\/span><\/h2> Getting a sprinkler appointment with your landscaper in late spring is like showing up at opening time to the DMV: If you\u2019re not early, you\u2019re sunk. It\u2019s best to call your landscaper or sprinkler company in late winter to schedule your spring start-up appointment. <\/p>
Once the sprinklers are ready to go, do an irrigation audit (or tuna can test) to make sure your sprinklers are watering the lawn evenly. <\/p>
It\u2019s simple:<\/p>
- Grab as many tin cans as you can find. Use at least five cans per zone.<\/li>
- Turn on the sprinklers for five minutes.<\/li>
- Do some math.<\/li><\/ol>
- Divide the number one by how much water you collected in each can. <\/li>
- For example, if your cans collected \u00bc inch:<\/li><\/ul>
1\/.25 = 4<\/p>
- Multiply that number by 5<\/li><\/ul>
4 x 5 = 20<\/p>
- The answer (20, in this example) is how many minutes to run your sprinklers to add one inch of water to the lawn.<\/li><\/ul>
Congratulations! You\u2019ve completed your first irrigation audit!<\/p>
If you find that the spray heads are hitting the concrete, now is the time to make those adjustments. Or, if you have water running onto paved surfaces, your soil may not be absorbing the water fast enough. In that case, set your system to run on intervals to give the soil time to absorb the water and prevent runoff.<\/p>
4. Wait to water<\/span><\/h2> ![\"small](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_5950217022_dd4b9bb6e6_c.jpg\")
Gordon | Flickr<\/a> | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Establishing a good watering routine in the spring will help the grass grow strong for the upcoming summer season. Don\u2019t turn on the sprinklers just yet: Wait until the lawn is actively growing to start watering<\/em><\/strong>, and only water if rainfall is insufficient. When you water, use a screwdriver or other tool to make sure the soil is wet 4-6 inches deep.<\/p> Deep, but infrequent, watering is best. This helps the roots grow deep into the soil to search for water and increases the drought tolerance of your lawn. So, if you do have to water your lawn, try to apply a week\u2019s worth of water in a single day.<\/p>
Another tip is to wait until you see signs of drought stress to water the lawn. In other words, let the grass tell you<\/strong> when it needs water rather than putting it on a set schedule. Grass that wilts, curls, or folds is telling you it\u2019s time to water.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
- Wait until after<\/em> you take a soil test to add compost or other amendments.<\/li>
- Get a stainless steel or plastic trowel and bucket.<\/li>
- Take 5-10 samples from all over the sample area. <\/li>
- Dig 4\u201d deep to sample a lawn or 6\u201d deep to sample a garden. <\/li>
- Mix the samples together and put the soil in the box.<\/li>
- Mail in the box or drop it by your local Extension office.<\/li>
- Wait a few weeks for the results.<\/li>
- You\u2019re ready to grow!<\/li><\/ol>
From April 1-Nov. 30, the test is free. From Dec. 1-March 31, the test is $4. <\/p>2. Prevent weeds<\/span><\/h2>
John Phelan | Wikimedia Commons<\/a> | CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> If you already see weeds in your lawn, skip this and go to \u201cTreat weeds\u201d below. If none of your summer weeds have sprouted yet, this information is for you.
<\/p>Early spring is the time to prevent summer annual weeds, like crabgrass, from sprouting. Timing is critical<\/strong> to making sure your pre-emergent herbicide is effective. In Charlotte, plan to apply a pre-emergent from mid-February to early March, or right before the dogwoods start blooming. If you want advice from other local gardeners, contact the Mecklenburg County Extension<\/a> office to talk to their staff, or contact a Master Gardener<\/a> volunteer.<\/p>
3. Turn on the sprinklers<\/span><\/h2>
Getting a sprinkler appointment with your landscaper in late spring is like showing up at opening time to the DMV: If you\u2019re not early, you\u2019re sunk. It\u2019s best to call your landscaper or sprinkler company in late winter to schedule your spring start-up appointment. <\/p>
Once the sprinklers are ready to go, do an irrigation audit (or tuna can test) to make sure your sprinklers are watering the lawn evenly. <\/p>
It\u2019s simple:<\/p>
- Grab as many tin cans as you can find. Use at least five cans per zone.<\/li>
- Turn on the sprinklers for five minutes.<\/li>
- Do some math.<\/li><\/ol>
- Divide the number one by how much water you collected in each can. <\/li>
- For example, if your cans collected \u00bc inch:<\/li><\/ul>
1\/.25 = 4<\/p>
- Multiply that number by 5<\/li><\/ul>
4 x 5 = 20<\/p>
- The answer (20, in this example) is how many minutes to run your sprinklers to add one inch of water to the lawn.<\/li><\/ul>
Congratulations! You\u2019ve completed your first irrigation audit!<\/p>
If you find that the spray heads are hitting the concrete, now is the time to make those adjustments. Or, if you have water running onto paved surfaces, your soil may not be absorbing the water fast enough. In that case, set your system to run on intervals to give the soil time to absorb the water and prevent runoff.<\/p>
4. Wait to water<\/span><\/h2>
Gordon | Flickr<\/a> | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Establishing a good watering routine in the spring will help the grass grow strong for the upcoming summer season. Don\u2019t turn on the sprinklers just yet: Wait until the lawn is actively growing to start watering<\/em><\/strong>, and only water if rainfall is insufficient. When you water, use a screwdriver or other tool to make sure the soil is wet 4-6 inches deep.<\/p>
Deep, but infrequent, watering is best. This helps the roots grow deep into the soil to search for water and increases the drought tolerance of your lawn. So, if you do have to water your lawn, try to apply a week\u2019s worth of water in a single day.<\/p>
Another tip is to wait until you see signs of drought stress to water the lawn. In other words, let the grass tell you<\/strong> when it needs water rather than putting it on a set schedule. Grass that wilts, curls, or folds is telling you it\u2019s time to water.<\/p>
- The answer (20, in this example) is how many minutes to run your sprinklers to add one inch of water to the lawn.<\/li><\/ul>
- Multiply that number by 5<\/li><\/ul>
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