Having a gorgeous garden brimming with bright flowers and bushes won't look nearly as nice without a luscious lawn framing it.
And local lawn-care providers say with a few key steps, your lawn can look golf-course quality this spring.
"It basically boils down to cut height (three inches), the mower's blade sharpness and using a good fertilizer," said Justin Scott, Sunshine Ground Care's Barrie/Orillia franchise owner. "The stronger the grass root, the greener the grass will be, and it will choke out weeds better."
With spring-like weather starting to stick around, residents are turning their attention to the flattened, brown and soggy mess in their yards -- their grass.
That's when Scott's phone starts ringing off the hook.
"Calls come in as fast as the snow melts," he said. "We try to hold off treating lawns and fertilizing until April 15 because the grounds are still frozen or really wet."
But getting that vibrant green lawn won't be as easy for residents this year, because Ontario's cosmetic pesticides ban kicks in April 22.
According to the government of Ontario's website, pesticides cannot be used for cosmetic purposes on lawns, vegetable and ornamental gardens, patios, driveways, cemeteries, or parks and schoolyards. There are no exceptions for pest infestations (insects, fungi or weeds) in these areas.
The ban has seen more than 250 pesticide products stopped from sale and more than 95 pesticide ingredients are banned.
This has left some businesses scrambling to find other alternatives to those chemicals to give clients that thick, weed-free lawn. But the ban doesn't bother Marcel Lauzon's business one bit. The Midland resident just uses a little black magic to get the job done.
"We use our new Black Magic formula, which is a mixture of peat moss, grass seed and a fungus that attaches to the grass roots and helps them soak up nutrients," said Lauzon, owner of Tender Shoots Lawn Recovery, which has been running 14 years. "It basically adds a layer of organic matter top coat to the grass, and it's a great product.
"It's the formula no other company has."
But aside from a magic top coat, Scott said there are many other lawn-care tips he can give to clients.
"Aeration is key, and helps the grass if done both in spring and fall," he said. "Over-seeding is another big thing. The more seeds you put down, the thicker the grass will grow, and the less room weeds have to grow."
Scott said he's discovered another grass grower in alfalfa sprouts, which really refreshes the grass blades and gives them that bright green colour.
"Red belly worm poop is also a good one, and it looks like top soil the way we get it," he said. "It makes the lawn look golf-course quality."
And although no one wants to spend each weekend cutting grass, Lauzon said it's also key to keeping lawns looking their best.
"To keep the turf strong, you should be mowing often so you're never cutting off more than one-third of the grass length," he said. "Also, while raking the lawn is good, starting too early before the grass is soft will only do more damage than good."
