Spring is quickly leaving us, but it is not too late to take my advice and get your lawn prepared for the long hot summer. In case this is your first time here, you will learn that I am a big proponent of hard work on the lawn in the spring. This early hard work can pay off way down the road in leisure time and enjoyment.

So here are your last minute spring lawn tips; do them!

Lawn Aeration

I’ve said it before and I will say it again: “lawn aeration is the most important cultural practice that any home owner can perform.”

Aerating the lawn is basically a process whereby cores of soil are removed from the turf. This “poking of holes” allows air, water and nutrients to get directly into the root zone. It also breaks down thatch and loosens compacted soil. That is VERY important.

Crab Grass Prevention

In many areas of the country, you are right at the bitter end of the time when you can effectively stop crab grass in the lawn this season. But if you live in the Midwest or points north, you can still get down a good application. Since we are a little late (month of May) I recommend you get a crab grass herbicide that is formulated with the brand name “Dimension” which is specially designed to hit crab grass at the first tiller stage. Long story short, this one is meant for you late comers!

Mowing

Lastly, you must continue to mow tall and continue to mow consistently. You cannot afford to let the lawn grow for two weeks or more. At this time of year, you gotta get out and cut weekly if not more. You can do it!

That’s it you late risers! You still have time to make an impact on that little green patch of love you call your lawn!

Over the years I’ve heard a lot of “bunk” when it comes to myths being spread about ways to take care of your lawn. In fact, some of these myths are just absurd, though many people do believe them. Let me clear up two of the biggest ones for you guys.

Wearing Golf Shoes Instead of Lawn Aeration

I talk to customers and readers of this site about lawn aeration all the time. You know I’ve said it’s one of the most important maintenance practices in the whole of lawn care… but someone, somewhere, a long time ago said that wearing golf spikes would do the same thing.

This is hilarious to me because first off, golf spikes are less than an eighth-of-an-inch long, whereas the tines on an aeration machine are 4-5″ long. You tell me — what works better?

Also, did you know that golf courses use aeration machines on their greens and fairways at least once per year? Golf courses have more golf spikes on them than anywhere on Earth, yet they still aerate! Imagine that!

Beer Works On Grub Worms

This one is funny too because enough beer can kill just about anything. But it is not a grub worm preventor or corrective. Grub worms are under the lawn in the soil, and even if you did spray a misting of beer on your lawn, you’d have to water it into the soil. By that time, it would be completely diluted and useless. And if by chance you didn’t water it in, the sun would bake it, producing a horrible smell — like a public park after Oz Fest or something!

Plus, do you know how expensive it would be to spread beer on your lawn? You’d go broke!

So, there are two lawn care myths that hopefully I was able to dispel for ya! Stick to the basics and you’ll be fine, I promise.