New homeowners who are inexperienced with year-round lawn care often don't understand that a velvety, green, soft-under-the-feet, summer lawn starts with good lawn care practices in the spring. Knowing how to get your lawn off to the best possible start helps ensure hours of enjoyment under the summer sun in your own backyard. Here's what you need to do in spring to for a beautiful lawn in the summer.

Rake the Lawn Thoroughly

After the last frost date, go over every part of your lawn with a rake to remove leftover leaves, stray twigs, and any other extraneous yard debris. This also provides you with the opportunity to inspect your lawn for visible signs of damage and disease. Keep an eye out for fruiting fungal bodies, bare spots on your lawn, and a disorder known as thatch. Thatch is a layer of stems, roots, and shoots, both living and dead, that's between the blades of grass and the soil in your lawn. Thick buildups of thatch block water from reaching the lawn's roots, and if left untreated, can seriously jeopardize the survival of the lawn. If thatch is mild, it can be removed fairly easily using a standard garden rake, but if it's more advanced, homeowners are advised to seek the assistance of a reputable lawn care company so that it can be removed without causing damage.

Overseed Bare Spots

Bare spots may have developed in your lawn during the course of winter, and spring is the time to overseed so that you'll have a lush lawn to enjoy in the summer. Keep in mind that not all lawns are made from the same type of grass, so be sure to buy the type of grass seed that is the same as your lawn. If you are unsure of what kind of lawn you have, ask a professional or consult your local cooperative extension service -- these are usually county organizations associated with the agricultural departments of local universities and colleges. Reseed the bare spots by gently raking the seed into the soil and covering the area with a thin layer of compost. Water the area each morning and evening, taking care not to allow it to completely dry out. After the grass seeds have germinated, continue watering the area once per day until the new grass has blended with the old.

Please feel free to contact a local lawn care company like Greenwood Tree Experts at your convenience for more advice on how to have a gorgeous green lawn.