Spring is officially here now, but don’t get too excited with your spring lawncare projects. It is best to wait until April before overseeding or reseeding a lawn. When the time has come, overseed with the same type of grass that is already growing in the lawn, or use 100% Kentucky bluegrass or 100% tall fescue or a mix of these 2 types. Fertilization does not need to be on the lawn until the end of April and you can wait until it greens up to see if the early season fertilization is necessary.

If you overseed the lawn this spring, do not use a crabgrass pre-emergence herbicide because it will destroy the desired grass seed as well. Crabgrass preventer on established lawns should be applied when the soils are consistently at 55-60 degrees F.

Visit cropwatch.unl.edu/soiltemperature to see your current soil temperature.

Mowing is not needed prior to turfgrass greening up and starting to grow. The first mowing should take place when green grass is tall enough to require mowing. Mow at 2.5” to 3.5” for the entire growing season, returning clippings to the lawn. Do not remove more than 1/3 of the total canopy height at one time.

Arbor Day is April 28th! When planting a tree in your landscape, be sure to dig the hole twice as wide and only as deep as the root ball of the tree you are planting. Make sure you add a 2-3 inch deep layer of mulch at least 2 feet wide around the trunk of the tree. Also, make sure you keep the tree well-watered. There are many great tree species to choose from Nebraska, for more information on many great trees, visit: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/gage/gage-county-horticulture/#tab7