Revitalize lawn after long winter

Every spring, homeowners head outside to take stock of how the winter treated their lawn. Homeowners in areas that experience heavy snow or rainfall each winter likely do not look forward to this inventory, fearful of what another harsh winter did to their property. Fallen tree branches, frozen ground and winter wind storms can do a number on even the most well-manicured lawns, turning a summertime labor of love into a nightmare.

While homeowners might not be able to do anything about the weather, there are ways to revitalize a lawn each spring. And you don't have to be an accomplished landscaper to handle the task. The following tips can help bring your luscious lawn back to life, helping make winter a distant memory.

* Remove all debris from your yard. Debris includes any trash in the yard, wood, large roots, fallen branches, and even stones.

The presence of trash such as broken glass or even faded paper products such as cups or bags is not only unsafe for the environment, but it can prove harmful to anyone who might be out in the yard once your grass grows, especially if you have children. Oftentimes, winter winds can blow trash from nearby garbage cans across the yard, no matter how neatly homeowners put out their trash.

* Smooth the soil. Once all debris been removed, examine the soil for any abnormalities that might need to be smoothed out. Use a spade or rake to smooth any areas that aren't up to par. Next you'll want to loosen the soil as well, something that can be done with a garden rake.

Any unsightly areas, such as humps or ditches, should either be smoothed out or filled in, depending on which is appropriate. This can be done with some soil and should not prove too costly.

* Consider seeding the lawn if need be. For lawns that took a particularly harsh beating over the winter, consider seeding the lawn to help revitalize it.

When seeding a lawn, be sure you choose the right seeds. Different regions respond better to different types of grass. But don't be intimidated if you don't know the correct grass to choose. Simply ask a landscaper or consult a lawn care specialist at a nearby home improvement center as to which type of grass is the best fit your region and your yard.

When you're ready to seed, the seed can be scattered by hand for smaller yards, or with a drop spreader for larger lawns. When spreading with a drop spreader, use the suggested amount of seed on the bag (even a little less seed should do the trick) and make sure you spread out the rows evenly in the same direction.

Once you've sowed the first part of your lawn in one direction, you can crisscross back over that part at a 90-degree angle, making sure you keep equal distance and calibrate your spreader at the same speed.

* Add mulch for aesthetic and practical appeal. Mulch helps the soil by allowing it to retain moisture, making it more conducive to growing healthy grass. When laying mulch down, keep the mulch at roughly a quarter-inch to ensure your lawn will grow in nicely.