Lawn Care
St. Patrick’s Day is here, and you know what that means? Visions of green are appearing in our heads…specifically the green of those beautifully manicured lawns! You know those lawns…the kind so lush that you just want to bare your feet and dance the jig or relax and enjoy a pint of gat?
With spring just a few days away, it’s not too early to start thinking about your yard care plan for the coming warm months. The entire states of Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky are in Grass Zone 1, and this schedule, found on ThisOldHouse.com, will take your lawn from drab to fab!
March
– Rake up the debris and leaves left behind from old man winter.
– Clean and prepare your garden beds, removing any diseased plants and weeds that may have sprouted.
– Till the soil to loosen it and add compost or fertilizer if needed.
– Add mulch to your garden beds to prevent new weeds from sprouting and deter pests.
– If you have an irrigation system, check it and make any necessary repairs or adjustments.
– Prune trees and shrub to give them shape and promote healthy growth.
April
– Mow the grass 3 inches high, but leave the clippings on your lawn.
– Apply the first dose of fertilizer to help your grass grow strong and healthy.
– Treat for crabgrass with pre-emergent herbicide or eco-friendly corn gluten.
May
– Pull or spot-treat dandelions or treat the whole lawn with post-emergent weed control or lime.
– Fertilize six to eight weeks after the first dose of dandelion treatment.
June–July
– Water if the rainfall is below 1 inch a week.
– Treat for grubs using beneficial nematodes.
Late August–September
– Dethatch and aerate with a core aerator when the rains resume and the ground softens. You can rent an aerator from a local hardware store, or you can hire a professional to do the job for you. Aeration will help your grass grow thicker and healthier, and it can also help prevent soil erosion.
– Fertilize and seed.
– Spread weed-and-feed over the entire lawn or spot-spray with lime juice and vinegar.
October–November
– Rake the leaves.
– Fertilize six to eight weeks after the last feeding.
– At final cut, after a few frosts, mow just 2 inches high.
(Source: ThisOldHouse.com)
Four Leaf Clover
Since we’re on the subject of green foliage, let’s talk about this little gem that could give us a wee bit o’ luck (and who couldn’t use that). The elusive four-leaf clover is a sign of good fortune, so if you find one, hang on to it.
The 3-leaf shamrock is the kind of clover we’re used to seeing and IS considered lucky, but the elusive four-leaf clover is an even greater blessing, so if you find one, hang on to it for long-term luck. Keep reading to find out how to preserve it.
Preserving Your Four-Leaf Clover
If you don’t have a flower press, you can use an old, heavy book. Place the clover in between the pages. The pages will soak up the moisture. If you don’t want to damage your book, you can use other pieces of paper and tuck them inside the pages. Wrap the book with strong and tight rubber bands to hold it closed. Leave it to dry for about one week. When you open the book again, and the clover is green and completely flat, consider it successfully pressed.
To preserve your lucky treasure, encase it in packing tape or laminate it. Make sure you do this within 1-2 days after pressing to help the clover retain its beautiful green color. Once your amulet is preserved, stick it in your wallet or purse and go in search of your pot-of-gold!
“May your troubles be less and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.” – Irish Blessing
For all of the latest information on our local real estate market in Southwestern Indiana and Northwestern Kentucky, you can always trust the professionals at F.C. Tucker Emge and F.C. Tucker/Collier. Our agents have superior training and resources at their disposal to better educate you about the road to homeownership. Even if you are 6-12 months (or more!) out from making a change, there is a lot to learn about the home buying and selling process, and our agents can help you learn what you need to know so that you can be confident in your decision and have a smooth experience when the time comes. Let’s Talk!
