As grass comes out of dormancy from the long winter, government grounds maintenance managers will be busy bringing grounds and lawns back to life. Chief tasks this time of year include inspection, fertilization and weed control to ensure government grounds look their best.

Holmdel, N.J.-based Lawn Doctor, a professional lawn service and lawn care company, provided GovPro.com with several pointers that can help grounds managers cover all the bases.

First, government lawns should be checked for lawn diseases, such as dead spots and insects, like grubs. Healthy lawns that receive proper year-round lawn care tend to be more resistant to disease and pests throughout the year.

As part of the startup process in the spring, grounds maintenance managers should determine the pH level of soil on government grounds. Having the soil professionally tested can help determine what compounds might need to be added to create the best growing environment for turf and trees.

Next comes lawn fertilizing. Proper fertilization of lawns and grounds in the spring is vital because the feeding replenishes the reserves used during the dormant winter period. The number of applications of fertilizer needed will vary depending on location, the type of grass and soil conditions.

Fertilization in the spring as well as throughout the year will help lawns replenish nutrients and color depleted during the winter, reduce stress caused by drought and heat, and develop strong healthy grass roots that survive from year to year. Beyond the spring, regular fertilization throughout the year is necessary to maintain healthy lawns around government buildings.

Spring lawn care can help prevent grassy weeds like crabgrass from flourishing on lawns and grounds. Besides being unattractive, weeds are also harmful to lawns and grounds because they compete with grass and other plants for moisture, nutrients, light and space. Spring is a great time to treat lawns with pre-emergents. Proper maintenance of landscaping beds also can prevent weeds from taking hold.

To control broadleaf weeds, such as dandelion, clover and thistle, grounds crews should apply a post-emergence herbicide, which is absorbed into the leaves and circulated down into the root system. However, it does not prevent the seeds from germinating and re-infesting a lawn.

Crabgrass is a grassy weed, best controlled in the spring, before the weeds germinate. Germination occurs when the soil is above 65 degrees (also the time when forsythias and lilacs bloom).

Using a pre-emergent weed control treatment can help prevent weeds like crabgrass from showing up in lawns and grounds.

Here are a few Lawn Doctor sources that have more information:

• Lawn care tips from Lawn Doctor
• Lawn care glossary from Lawn Doctor

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