Getting Your Columbia SC Yard Ready For Summer

Finally spring is here. Time to start working on getting your Columbia SC yard ready for the coming summer weather. It's always great to see green grass again when all you've been looking at all winter is dormant grass (unless you planted winter rye and have been seeing green all winter.)

With spring comes a greening of your Columbia SC yard and the hope and promise that there will be plenty of yard work for months to come.

Tips for Getting Your Columbia SC Yard Back in Shape

Stay off the grass. Wait for the ground to dry before walking on it to pick up branches and other debris. When it's wet, footprints can damage turf and give weeds a chance to take hold.

Keep an eye on that tree. Feeling a little iffy about that big old oak tree that's next to your house? A tree with a pronounced lean to one side signals a problem and so do unhealthy or off-color leaves, a branch without leaves in summer, or little bark. Most roots are within a foot from the surface, so any activities that affect the soil, such as a new driveway, often affect the roots. To learn whether your trees are at risk of failing, find a certified arborist at the site of the International Society of Arboriculture.

Sharpen those blades. Dull mower or tractor blades stress the grass, making it more prone to disease. Sharpen them and they'll cut cleaner and faster. Experts suggest having the blades sharpened and balanced three times during the growing season.

Test your soil. Why guess what your soil needs when you can spend as little as $10 for the experts at your local cooperative extension to test it and provide solutions. Some even come to your house. You'll find out if limestone is needed to raise the pH of acidic soil or sulphur for lowering the pH of alkaline soil. A complete test analyzes nutrients and offers a fix. You'll find your local extension here.

Find out which weeds are trouble. While you have your co-op extension expert on the phone, ask which weeds and pests your Columbia SC yard can tolerate. Dandelions may improve the soil structure, but if you're not wild about them, you might want to cut off their heads before they go to seed or use a special fork-like tool to pull them out, removing the entire root. Clover takes nitrogen from the air and nourishes the soil.

Just these 5 Columbia SC yard tips for spring can mean a big difference in the look of your lawn during the summer months.

These are just a few of the many ways to get your Columbia SC yard ready for summer. For more home improvement tips, visit our Columbia SC Home Improvements section under Columbia SC Real Estate Categories to your right for more articles and information.