How to Reclaim Your Yard

Take back your lawn with spring lawn care tips that will help you manage the mess. Whether your new home came with an overgrown lawn, or you’re tired of facing the same lawn problems every spring, there are several things you can do to reclaim your yard. Learn more about removing weeds, cutting back an overgrown lawn and how to use your riding lawn mower to control weed growth in the future. 

Using lawn tractors to tame an overgrown lawn
If the previous owners didn’t have green thumbs, they may have let the lawn go to seed. This could mean you have substantial overgrowth and weeds to deal with. Will you need to remove a lot of weeds? Is the grass brown and unhealthy? The first step is to examine the contents of your lawn. Take a soil sample to determine the consistency and what you’ll need to do to repair it. Then, set your riding lawn mower or lawn tractor to the highest setting and mow. While you may be tempted to cut more off to quickly get your lawn back in shape, this can shock the grass and cause greater damage. If you’re simply dealing with an overgrown lawn and a few weeds, you can mow progressively more each week and spot treat with a weed killer. However, if you’ll need to do more substantial repairs, a first cut like this will help you better assess the situation and prepare your lawn for treatment.

Removing weeds and managing recurring lawn problems
If you have the same lawn problems every spring no matter what you try to do or the lawn is overgrown with weeds, it may be time for more drastic measures. You may need to kill your lawn before you can save it. This can be done using herbicides broadly across the lawn, or by laying clear plastic sheeting down, tightly secured for a month, to raise the temperature and sterilize the lawn and soil. After you kill the lawn you can till it or rake it, depending on the size, to remove the dead grass and weeds. Then, do what is needed to treat the soil, like adding lime or compost, and patting down the soil so it is firm and doesn’t sink under foot.

After your soil has reached the right pH balance, it’s time to reseed the lawn. Choose the appropriate grass for your climate and be sure to plan your lawn’s destruction around optimal planting time to foster the best results when you restore it. For many, this means killing the lawn in July and August to be able to plant in September. In the spring you should have a lush green lawn that is easier to maintain.

Reducing the area your lawn tractor needs to cover
If you’ll be turning the lawn over to kill off weeds and sick grass, consider reducing the space you need to manage with your lawn tractor by adding flower beds, patios or walkways. This is an especially good option if you have a large yard as it will take less time to maintain the entirety of the lawn.

Landscaping is an effective way of beautifying an otherwise unused and neglected back or side yard. Rather than replant grass throughout the yard, consider using pavers, shrubs, fruit trees and other decorative plants to fill in the gaps. Zero-turn riding lawn mowers do a great job navigating around obstacles in your yard, so if you choose to increase your landscaping, consider purchasing a lawn tractor that will be able to maneuver the new layout. 

Spring lawn care tips to maintain your newly tamed lawn
You may never have a lawn free from problems, but there are several simple things you can do during your spring lawn care each year. After your new lawn has taken root, be sure to mow high and often to encourage a deep roots system. And make sure your walk-behind or riding lawn mower blades are sharp so that they cut cleanly and don’t damage the grass further. Spread compost or lime as appropriate each spring to adjust the pH, and water deeply in the morning or evening about once a week. Don’t over-water as this can damage the root system of your grass. A strong, healthy lawn will naturally fight back weeds. So, while it may take some work to get it there, once you have it, it will be easier maintain.