Taking care of a lush, healthy lawn all year round requires a strategy, and this is especially true for Maryland, which has several climate zones on its territory. From the cold winds of winter to the humid heat of summer, each of these seasons exerts a certain influence on the condition of the lawn. Below is the month-to-month instruction on the conditions of Maryland.
January & February: Winter Care
- Inspect and Plan: As your lawn won’t require many gardening tasks, winter is the perfect time to assess the lawn’s health and prepare for the upcoming seasons.
- Equipment Maintenance: It is a good idea to service your lawn mower or buy a new one. One should also consider maintaining the equipment for sowing in spring.
- Snow Management: Another tip is to avoid walking on the lawn when it is covered with frost or snow as it can prove damaging for grass blades.
March: Spring Awakening - Aeration and Dethatching: Loosening your ground, as it thaws, aerates the lawn helping to relieve soil compaction. Thatching removes dead layers of grass, which allows for healthier growth.
- Fertilizing: Towards the end of March apply a light application of fertilizer because
after the grass has had time to grow again, the grass needs the nutrients. - Weed Prevention: Apply pre-emergent herbicides to help with common weeds.
April: Growth Enhancement - Mowing: Start mowing the lawn as it starts to grow, allowing the blade height to increase to around 3 inches.
- Overseeding: Fill in any bare spots by overseeding with a suitable type of grass seed.
- Pest Control: Begin controlling and monitoring any infestations of pests in the lawn.
May: Vigilant Care - Continued Mowing and Watering: Growth will be vigorous so regular mowing and watering will be essential.
- Post-Emergent Herbicides: Apply treatments for any weeds that have sprouted since March.
June: Summer Preparation - Mulching: Apply mulch around your garden beds to help keep in moisture and help stop weeds.
- Grub Control: These pests are actively feeding now and into the hot months. So take preventive measures by applying grub control now if you wish.
- Disease Monitoring: Always be on the outlook for signs of a lawn disease, whether new or old.
July & August: Peak Summer Care - Watering: If you must water late on a summer evening, come out during the cool morning and water briefly, to replace the moisture the air has removed during the night
- Mowing: Raise the mower blade so that you leave more grass behind, which will shade the soil.
- Fertilization Pause: Fertilization Pause-Do not fertilize your lawn in the heat of the summer, as you will burn your grass.
September: Fall Revival - Aeration and Overseeding: Get your lawn ready for strong root development and thick growth by tackling both of these tasks.
- Fertilizing: Applying a fall lawn fertilizer should prepare your lawn for the upcoming colder season.
- Weed Control: Deal with any perennial weed problems together with your other lawn tasks.
October & November: Autumn Maintenance - Leaf Removal: Regularly remove fallen leaves to prevent mold and disease.
- Final Mowing: Continue until the grass stops growing, then do a final mow, cutting the grass slightly shorter to prepare it for winter.
- Equipment Maintenance: Clean and store your lawn care equipment properly.
December: Winter Preparation - Winter Fertilizer: Apply a winterizing fertilizer to support root health through the cold months.
- Insulation: Consider spreading a thin layer of mulch around perennials to protect them from freezing temperatures.
- Rest and Research: As your lawn rests, take the time to research new strategies or treatments for next year.
Conclusion:
This accurate schedule of seasonal lawn maintenance ensures that, in Maryland, homeowners can enjoy beautiful and thriving lawns all year round. The tasks have been carefully chosen to meet all the needs that local lawns have, ensuring that they can withstand all the extreme temperatures and climatic characteristics of Maryland. Furthermore, this will be incredibly easy to achieve with the help of “The Lawn Shark”.