April is National Lawn Care Month! It’s the perfect time of year to get your lawn in shape and healthy for the upcoming summer months. Are you ready to achieve that Instagram-perfect luscious lawn? Read on for our best April lawn care tips.
Seeding
Now is the perfect time to be seeding your lawn. Whether you’re looking to fill in a few bare patches or are reseeding an entire lawn, now is the time! Choose a grass type that will match with how you utilize your lawn. Is it for playing on, going to be a high traffic area for dogs, or do you just want a luscious looking turf for curb appeal? There are many dryland pasture mixes and native grasses that can sometimes create a more durable, low maintenance turf when a traditional lawn is not required.
Fertilize
In northern Colorado, in April it’s usually time to start fertilizing your lawn. At approximately 6-8 week intervals, from April through October, fertilize your lawn with a well balanced fertilizer per the fertilizer’s recommended rate. We recommend Jirdon fertilizers because they are made for our soils and have everything grass needs for our region. JIRDON GREENMASTER FERTILIZER: 25-5-5 w/ 4% Iron, 7% Sulfur • A PREMIUM formula with emphasis on Nitrogen and Iron • A favorite for color, texture, and durability. A 40 Pound Bag covers 10,000 sq. ft. 20 Pound Bag covers 5,000 sq. ft.
A good option for an organic fertilizer is ALPHALAWN II PLUS IRON ORGANIC LAWN FERTILIZER – Guaranteed Analysis Total Nitrogen (N) 14.0% Soluble 7.0% Insoluble 7.0%, Phosphate (P2O5) 2.0%, Potash (K2O) 2.0%, Calcium 2.0%, Iron (Fe) 2.0%, Sulfur (S) 2.0%, Humic Acid Value 15.0%
40 Pound Bag Covers 5000 sq. ft.
Water
Those of us living in northern Colorado know that rainfall doesn’t cut it for growing a healthy landscape. In April and May, you can begin watering about two times per week. Apply about 1-2 inches of water every time you water the lawn.
Mowing
Typical grasses that we see in the Fort Collins area require a weekly mowing. This includes cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass and Fescue. If your lawn is dry enough, and the grass is over three inches, it may be time to start mowing! If you have a cool-season grass, it should be kept between 2.5-4 inches. After it’s above 4, it’s time to mow. Don’t cut below the 2.5 inch threshold as it can cause burning and encourage shallow root growth.
Aeration
Aeration is important for growing strong, healthy grass, particularly in Colorado due to the heavy clay soils. Lawn aeration is a process usually done with an aeration machine that removes plugs 2” to 3” long (the longer the better) from your lawn’s root system and deposits them on your lawn surface. This process will open up the heavy clay soil and reduce the accumulation of thatch. Lawn aeration should be done in early spring but in extreme cases of soil compaction it may be wise to do both in the spring and the fall. All of these benefits will result in a healthier lawn!
Alpine Gardens has been designing, installing, and maintaining landscaping in northern Colorado since 1978. Our designers and landscapers are experienced and know just how to achieve the look you’re hoping for in your yard. If you need irrigation installation or tips on how to get your grass thriving this spring, give us a call! We are still open and running as an essential business. Call us at 970-226-2296.
