Memorial Day signals that summer is just around the corner, which means it’s time for backyard barbecues, pool parties and yard games.

If your thoughts are focused on your summer weekend plans, your first step should be yard prep. Here's what you need to kick things off this Memorial Day to set your yard up for an epic season of summer fun.

How can I get my lawn ready for Memorial Day?

• Choose the right fertilizer – All lawns need nutrients to thrive. Your lawn needs three main ingredients—nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Generally, lawns require more nitrogen than anything else. The question of how much your lawn needs is determined by the type of grass and the conditions of the soil, along with a few other factors. Before applying fertilizer, check with an expert to figure out what type you should use and how much. The right combination of nutrients is key to ensuring your grass is healthy and green for your Memorial Day party and beyond.  

• Cut your grass to a healthy length – The best practice for lawn height is 2 ½ inches, but it can vary depending on your climate. In the summer months, you might opt to adjust your grass height based on sun or rain impact. If you're leaning toward keeping your lawn short, here's a word of warning—there's a lawn mowing myth that says the shorter you mow grass, the less often you'll have to cut it. This may seem to make perfect sense; however, it is slightly misguided. It may save you time mowing, but it will likely require you to spend more time correcting problems in the future. This is because grass that's cut too short can be at risk for weed invasion, drought and damage from the hot summer sun. 

• Get rid of unwanted pests – With the warmer weather comes bugs like mosquitos, fleas and ticks, ants and more. Stop these bugs from invading your party by taking preventative measures. There are lawn treatments you can leverage that will provide quick knockdown and long-lasting relief from pest activity.

How can I protect my lawn during a Memorial Day party?

• Assess your lawn – Before your Memorial Day party kicks off, you’ll want to give your outdoor space a once-over. Rope off areas that you need to keep protected. For example, if you have an area of grass that was recently seeded or is struggling to stay green, you may want to put up temporary fencing to keep your house guests from hanging out in that portion of your yard. Done tastefully, they will most likely not even notice that they are being told to keep off certain parts of your lawn.  

• Treat your lawn in advance – Certain lawn treatments can help to keep your lawn safe in advance of your guests’ arrival. You can also make sure your lawn is party-ready by watering it appropriately prior to the date of your event.

• Scope out the main party area – You might have plans for lawn games or need to set up a larger seating area to accommodate guests. Be sure to pay attention to where you set these stations up so as not to damage new grass or delicate flower gardens. 

• Lawn-friendly entertainment ideas – While the slip and slide or a baseball game can bring fun to your Memorial Day gathering, it can be hard on your lawn. If your lawn is in delicate shape, you might opt for more lawn-friendly games such as cornhole, giant tic toe sets or ring tosses. 

Kick off your summer festivities with a lush, green, healthy and pest-free lawn. If you're in the process of planning a Memorial Day party, we're here to help!