Yard Cleanup

When it comes to preparing your property for the spring—when planting and growth are optimal—there are several things all yard enthusiasts should do, from debris cleanup and lawn aeration to seeding, mulching, and pruning. But where do you start and how do you tackle each of these tasks? We talked to John Deere’s lawn equipment expert Eric Halfman in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, for the lowdown.

Q: What is the first thing people should do when it comes to spring lawn cleanup?

The first thing you should do is walk around your property. Clean up debris like tree branches, sticks, pine cones, rocks, or old mulch that may have come from previous landscaping. Those objects aren’t good for your lawn mower. They will dull mower blades and quickly stress your lawn. They can also be dangerous for children or anyone enjoying your yard—especially if they’re barefoot.

Q: What is aeration and why should someone aerate their lawn?

Aeration is the practice of relieving the soil in your yard from compaction. Soil gets compacted from foot traffic, hard rains, or light thatch that might build up over the off-season or throughout the year. When your soil is compacted, it prevents oxygen, nutrients, and beneficial microorganisms from getting to the roots of your grass. So aerating your yard is the best way to prevent that compaction and promote a healthier lawn.

Q: What do people need to know about thatch?

When you cut your grass and that grass sits on top of the yard, it tends to break down and return to the soil. But some of that organic material doesn’t completely break down, so over the course of a year or so of mowing, it (known as thatch) can build up. That mat prevents your grass and soil from breathing and prevents good microorganisms from moving throughout the soil. To get rid of it, John Deere has some great dethatcher tools that can be used behind tractors.

Q: How do you address pesky problem areas in your yard where things won’t grow?

When you plant new grass, the best thing to do is to clear that area of any debris and then agitate the ground a little bit for good soil-to-seed contact. You can do that with a dethatcher or with a rake. Aerating is another way to ensure optimal soil-to-seed contact since it takes out small cores of soil, allowing the yard to breathe. Aerating before fertilization in the spring or fall can be beneficial, too, because that fertilizer stands a better chance of soil contact and helps strengthen grassroots.

Q: How do you decide which trees and shrubs should be pruned?

Well, you definitely want to prune your shrubs and trees to make sure they aren’t in the path of your lawn mower or any other equipment you might be using. Pruning will also allow more sun to come in—which not only helps your grass and plants grow but also helps dry out areas that may get too wet from the rain, preventing mold and disease. But before you prune, do your research to figure out the optimal time of year to do so for your specific trees and shrubs. If you prune at the wrong time of year, those lovely flowers or blooms you usually see come springtime might not come back.

Q: Apart from watering, what’s the single best thing you can do for your lawn?

I’d say making sure your grass is the right height. You only really want to take off one-third of the blade at a time. So try to err on the higher side. A lot of folks mow their yards really short to try to achieve that golf course look, but those golf courses are maintaining their properties daily—watering every day and fertilizing on a regular basis. With short grass comes less drought resistance, less weed and disease resistance, and more soil compression.

Q: What do most people get wrong about early-season lawn prep?

Some folks are really eager to get out and fertilize and overseed. Those two can’t be done at the same time. Your grass seed will pretty much go useless if you immediately fertilize afterward. It’s also important to wait until your soil gets to a certain temperature before you fertilize or plant grass seed in the spring. Otherwise, you won’t get great results.