Chris Horton

Many people often wonder why their neighbor has a stronger, healthier, and more beautiful lawn then their own. Chances are the neighbor cares for and maintains (or has a company that actually knows the keys to a great lawn) their lawn better than the person who's lawn might not be so nice and beautiful. Well you are in luck. I know the keys to the strong beautiful lawn that you need to do to have that strong, healthy, beautiful lawn that is the envy of the neighborhood, and I am going to share those keys with you. Along with these keys there are steps that you need to do for the entire lawn care season (typically April 1st-November 1st), like properly watering your lawn but today I am just going to focus on the spring time tips.

The first thing that you will want to do is remove the old dead leafs from last fall if you have not already done so. There are several ways this can be achieved. You can rake the leafs. Another way to remove the old leafs from the lawn is to mow the lawn with a bagger attachment. Always dispose of leafs, and lawn clippings properly for your area. Some areas only accept lawn debris at certain times of the year so check with your city or county to make sure they accept them. You can also put them into a compost area for use in your garden after they break down over a couple years as they make an excellent fertilizer for your garden.

The second step that you will want to do is to roll the lawn. Rolling the lawn is important as it smooths out the ground and removes the bumps making your lawn not only easier but safer to mow. Some think when you roll a lawn you just go one way and your done. It is actually best to roll the lawn front to back, diagonally twice, 2nd time being the opposite diagonal of the previous, then side to side (front to back and side to side can be switched but you want to cross diagonals in the middle of the two).

Next you will want to dethatch your lawn. Dethatching is the process of removing thatch, which is basically the left over dead lawn clippings from your lawn. This process can be done along with step #1 if you rake the lawn. However, when doing it along with cleaning up the leafs you will have to "power rake" (basically meaning put some good strength behind the rake) the lawn. The other way you can do dethatching is to buy a dethatcher for your tractor or contact a lawn care provider that offers the service to do it for you. If you bag your lawn clippings you can generally do this process every couple years.

For this forth step, aeration, I recommend hiring a lawn care provider that offers the service to do it for you as a good aeration machine is quite expensive to purchase, and many of the products targeted for homeowners for aeration simply do not work. Here is a good way to know if know if your aeration product does not work, after you are done there are no "plugs" laying on top of your lawn that were pulled out of the lawn. This step is very important and it is important to do it correctly using the proper machinery because it opens up your lawn for proper air, water and fertilization flow through the ground and to your lawns roots.

This fifth step goes along with step #4 (aeration). This step is called over seeding or re-seeding. This process is just what it sounds like it would be, spreading seed over your current lawn. You want to do this process after doing step #4 and I suggest doing it the same day or day after. Always use a spreader to ensure even distribution of the seeds so the lawn grows in evenly. Also pick a seed that is designed for the area you are seeding (ie. sun, shade, or if you have both find a sun and shade combination mix) and follow the directions on the bag as far as watering your new seeds. You will notice many of the grass seeds suggest using a starter fertilizer to help the seeds grow stronger and better, I do also suggest doing so, however I know there are many people who do not like to use fertilizers for various reasons (kids, pets, environment, ect.). If you are okay with using fertilizers do so about 3-4 weeks (or what your grass seed bag suggests) before aeration and over seeding, but after steps 1, 2 and 3. Also if you are not going to do the fertilization you can combine steps 3, 4 and 5 in their proper order in the same day/ weekend. Remember watering your lawn properly is a very important process that should be maintained season long, and always water new seeds as suggested on the bag of seeds.

The final step for spring is a good thing to do, but not really required. This step is fertilization. You will want to use a weed and feed fertilizer, if you plan on doing this step. If so, check the grass seed bag to see when they say it is okay to use a weed killing fertilizer (generally 1-2 months or longer after the over seeding process). Always use a spreader or hire a professional when fertilizing and carefully follow all warnings and directions on the fertilizer container. I also suggest using gloves, changing clothes when done, wearing an old pair of closed toe shoes, and taking a shower/bath following fertilizer application.

Horton's Lawn Care L.L.C. which offers many services to assist you in the proper care, maintenance, and beautification of your lawn including: aeration, detaching, lawn rolling, re-seeding, granular fertilization, lawn mowing, weed whipping, edging, hedge trimming, flower, tree planting, landscaping, spring clean ups, fall clean ups, and snow removal. They currently provide lawn care services in the Genesee County Michigan area primarily in Burton, Davison, Flint, Flushing, Grand Blanc, Swartz Creek.

For a Free Estimate call Chris @ (810) 877-9655.

Let us show you how beautiful your lawn can look.

Horton's Lawn Care L.L.C. is an insured, residential and commercial lawn care provider specializing in many lawn care services to assist you in the proper care, and maintenance of your lawn. You can have that beautiful, lush, green lawn you have always wanted with our lawn care services that include: aeration, detaching, lawn rolling, re-seeding, granular fertilization, lawn mowing, weed whipping, edging, hedge trimming, flower, shrub, and tree planting, spring clean ups,fall clean ups, landscaping, and snow removal. We currently provide lawn care services in the Genesee County Michigan area primarily in Burton, Davison, Flint, Flushing, Grand Blanc, and Swartz Creek.

For a Free Estimate Call Chris at (810) 877-9655

Let us show you how beautiful your lawn can look.

Another thing that makes the proper care and maintenance of the lawn and landscaping so important is that in many cases the proper care and maintenance of the lawn along with investing into the landscape of the home can add as much as 11% to the value of the home. With values of homes going down like they have in these last few years it is time we start doing everything we can to start bringing them back up where they were several years ago.

Horton's Lawn Care L.L.C. is an insured, residential and commercial lawn care provider specializing in many lawn care services to assist you in the proper care, and maintenance of your lawn. You can have that beautiful, lush, green lawn you have always wanted with our lawn care services that include: aeration, detaching, lawn rolling, re-seeding, granular fertilization, lawn mowing, weed whipping, edging, hedge trimming, flower, shrub, and tree planting, spring clean ups,fall clean ups, landscaping, and snow removal. We currently provide lawn care services in the Genesee County Michigan area primarily in Burton, Davison, Flint, Flushing, Grand Blanc, and Swartz Creek.

For a Free Estimate Call Chris at (810) 877-9655

Let us show you how beautiful your lawn can look.

Ok, first I will give you my opinion on liquid fertilizers. Simply put I don't care for them all that much. While some companies do a great job with it, I have seen more that do not. I have even seen lawns that have been ruined and even gotten disease from "professional" liquid all we do is fertilize companies (some even with rather big names that I will not include). My problem lies with the fact that it is dilluted with water, often probably to much water. Like I said some times it can be great, unfortunately here in MI I have not seen alot of greatness with the liquid fertilizers.

When applying fertilizer you want to be very careful as it does contain some dangerous chemicals that can irritate and sometimes even burn your skin (I have heard of possible links to cancers and stuff too so yeah you want to be really careful). I always wear pants and closed toe shoes or boots (yes even in the good summer heat). If you can breath when you wear a mask I suggest wearing one of those as well (to cut down breathing in all the fumes and chemicals). Also when you are done I suggest taking a good shower to wash any chemicals you may have on you off. Always, always, always follow all the directions on the bags as to other safty precautions, rate to apply, and how long to stay off the lawn (most say 1 day I suggest 3 as an added precaution... better safe than sorry + give it a better chance to do its job and work into the soil).

Now for the good stuff lol. Granual fertilization is rather easy and provides excellent results when done properly and with quality products. Best of all you can even do it yourself if you like to take care of your own lawn. I prefer to use one of two brands. Scotts has great products that really work, I use their grass seeds, and fertilization products. For my weed & feed applications another brand I often use is Preen. Preen also makes products for killing weeds in your flower beds, however I have not had a ton of sucess with these, their lawn weed & feed is excellent.

As far as spreaders go, I prefer using a broadcast spreader. You will want to use a good steady pace to ensure an even application. Also make sure your lawn is free of toys, and anything else that may cause you to stop (big sticks, fallen limbs, the neighbors dog lol) before you begin. Set your spreader to the application rate suggested by the manufacturer of the fertilizer, over fertilization can burn your lawn and under fertilization doesn't help it as much as if you apply the correct amount. Now you should be ready to apply your fertilizer.

Walking in your steady pace circle the perimiter of your lawn and your home twice (if you use a drop spreader you will want to keep your spreader right next to where you left off on your last pass and it may be better to do 3 passes, this is why I like the broad cast spreaders, you can go out a couple feet with every pass cutting your work often in half while still accomplishing the same thing). After finishing your 1st two circles around the house and outside edges of the lawn you will want to continue spreading the fertilizer in whichever distance is longer over your yard (if your lawn is wider than deep spread width wise, if it is longer than across spread it length wise is your lawn is a perfect square either way is fine). When you are turning around generally you will want to stop spreading the fertilizer so you don't over fertilize and possibly burn your lawn, especially with a drop spreader. Any time you stop make sure you also stop letting fertilizer out otherwise you will most likely burn you lawn in that area.

After you are done fertilizing the lawn take some time and water the lawn to soak the fertilizer into the ground so it can start working (also leaving fertilizer on the ground with no water can cause the lawn to burn). The only time you don't really have to water the lawn after fertilization is when it is going to rain. Sometimes I will actually even take a plastic garbage bag and cover the top of my spreader and spread fertilizer in the rain.

The spring months are the best time to do your weed & feed lawn treatments. Towards the end of spring early summer is when you will want to do a summer treatment to help the lawn deal with the stress of the heat and lack of rain. Scott's Summer treatment is great for this as it has drought protection (they have come out with a new water smart technology for year round treatment that I am going to try this year also with a weed & feed that requires less water and is still supposed to deliever a great healthy lawn) During the fall is actually the best time to do your crabgrass preventers and winterizers. Many people don't know this but crabgrass tends to actually grow and begin its "life" during the winter months that is why when the snow clears you will see more crabgrass than you had during the fall of the previous year, thats why it is actually better to treat it during the fall months than spring. However if you already have crabgrass you can still treat it during the spring, it is just best to do your preventers during the fall for crabgrass. I also like to do a weed & feed at the end of summer or early fall.

Generally within a week or so you will really start to see the results of your work and it will be well worth it. Not only do you have a great looking lawn, but you now have the sense of accomplishment from doing it yourself :-D

Horton's Lawn Care L.L.C. is an insured, residential and commercial lawn care provider specializing in many lawn care services to assist you in the proper care, and maintenance of your lawn. You can have that beautiful, lush, green lawn you have always wanted with our lawn care services that include: aeration, detaching, lawn rolling, re-seeding, granular fertilization, lawn mowing, weed whipping, edging, hedge trimming, flower, shrub, and tree planting, spring clean ups,fall clean ups, landscaping, and snow removal. We currently provide lawn care services in the Genesee County Michigan area primarily in Burton, Davison, Flint, Flushing, Grand Blanc, and Swartz Creek.

For a Free Estimate Call Chris at (810) 877-9655

Let us show you how beautiful your lawn can look.

The first thing that you will want to do is remove the old dead leafs from last fall if you have not already done so. There are several ways this can be achieved. You can rake the leafs. Another way to remove the old leafs from the lawn is to mow the lawn with a bagger attachment. Always dispose of leafs, and lawn clippings properly for your area. Some areas only accept lawn debris at certain times of the year so check with your city or county to make sure they accept them. You can also put them into a compost area for use in your garden after they break down over a couple years as they make an excellent fertilizer for your garden.

The second step that you will want to do is to roll the lawn. Rolling the lawn is important as it smooths out the ground and removes the bumps making your lawn not only easier but safer to mow. Some think when you roll a lawn you just go one way and your done. It is actually best to roll the lawn front to back, diagonally twice, 2nd time being the opposite diagonal of the previous, then side to side (front to back and side to side can be switched but you want to cross diagonals in the middle of the two).

Next you will want to dethatch your lawn. Dethatching is the process of removing thatch, which is basically the left over dead lawn clippings from your lawn. This process can be done along with step #1 if you rake the lawn. However, when doing it along with cleaning up the leafs you will have to "power rake" (basically meaning put some good strength behind the rake) the lawn. The other way you can do dethatching is to buy a dethatcher for your tractor or contact a lawn care provider that offers the service to do it for you. If you bag your lawn clippings you can generally do this process every couple years.

For this forth step, aeration, I recommend hiring a lawn care provider that offers the service to do it for you as a good aeration machine is quite expensive to purchase, and many of the products targeted for homeowners for aeration simply do not work. Here is a good way to know if know if your aeration product does not work, after you are done there are no "plugs" laying on top of your lawn that were pulled out of the lawn. This step is very important and it is important to do it correctly using the proper machinery because it opens up your lawn for proper air, water and fertilization flow through the ground and to your lawns roots.

This fifth step goes along with step #4 (aeration). This step is called over seeding or re-seeding. This process is just what it sounds like it would be, spreading seed over your current lawn. You want to do this process after doing step #4 and I suggest doing it the same day or day after. Always use a spreader to ensure even distribution of the seeds so the lawn grows in evenly. Also pick a seed that is designed for the area you are seeding (ie. sun, shade, or if you have both find a sun and shade combination mix) and follow the directions on the bag as far as watering your new seeds. You will notice many of the grass seeds suggest using a starter fertilizer to help the seeds grow stronger and better, I do also suggest doing so, however I know there are many people who do not like to use fertilizers for various reasons (kids, pets, environment, ect.). If you are okay with using fertilizers do so about 3-4 weeks (or what your grass seed bag suggests) before aeration and over seeding, but after steps 1, 2 and 3. Also if you are not going to do the fertilization you can combine steps 3, 4 and 5 in their proper order in the same day/ weekend. Remember watering your lawn properly is a very important process that should be maintained season long, and always water new seeds as suggested on the bag of seeds.

The final step for spring is a good thing to do, but not really required. This step is fertilization. You will want to use a weed and feed fertilizer, if you plan on doing this step. If so, check the grass seed bag to see when they say it is okay to use a weed killing fertilizer (generally 1-2 months or longer after the over seeding process). Always use a spreader or hire a professional when fertilizing and carefully follow all warnings and directions on the fertilizer container. I also suggest using gloves, changing clothes when done, wearing an old pair of closed toe shoes, and taking a shower/bath following fertilizer application.

Horton's Lawn Care L.L.C. which offers many services to assist you in the proper care, maintenance, and beautification of your lawn including: aeration, detaching, lawn rolling, re-seeding, granular fertilization, lawn mowing, weed whipping, edging, hedge trimming, flower, tree planting, landscaping, spring clean ups, fall clean ups, and snow removal. They currently provide lawn care services in the Genesee County Michigan area primarily in Burton, Davison, Flint, Flushing, Grand Blanc, Swartz Creek.

For a Free Estimate call Chris @ (810) 877-9655.

Let us show you how beautiful your lawn can look.