Early Spring Landscape Care

I like to lower my lawn mower to about an inch (usually about the second notch) the first time I mow. If the mower bogs down I will raise it a notch and then cut it at one inch about a week later.

If you have moss growing in the lawn or other areas in your landscape, now is the time to apply some moss control. Most moss control products contain iron, which not only kills moss but turns grass a darker green color. I prefer to use a lawn fertilizer which also contains moss control. It is not much more expensive and accomplishes two jobs at the same time. Moss control (with or without fertilizer) can also be used on other landscaped areas. Since iron can stain concrete, be sure to sweep it off before it gets wet.

For moss control on decks, roofs and other unplanted areas, a different product containing zinc is a better choice. It is non-staining and non-corrosive to wood, concrete, asphalt, and metal.

Our heavy rainfall turns our soils acidic. An application of a lime product is very effective in reducing acidity on lawns and most flowers, trees and shrubs, except rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas, blueberries, and similar acid loving plants. I apply lime every year to turf and every other year to vegetables, flowers, trees, and shrubs.