They say the grass is always greener on the other side. This year, we want your entire lawn to be the greenest and healthiest possible, and now is the time to start. February is turfgrass pre-emergent time, the time to spread herbicides and fertilizers across your lawn, ensuring it's thick and healthy for summertime.

The University of Georgia's (UGA) Extension Turf Specialist, Dr. Clint Waltz, has created a guide for using your rotary spreaders properly. This nifty guide will empower you to use granular herbicides and fertilizers more efficiently this spring and summer, keeping you focused on enjoying your yard – not yard work. Here are a few tips:

• To minimize spills, choose a spreader that's easy to fill and clean. Make sure the ports (the bottom holes the material falls through) are closed before filling the spreader, and use a cover, especially in uneven terrain.

• Walk at a constant, slow pace to ensure you're spreading evenly.

• Keep the impeller (the part that "slings" the material) level and parallel to the ground to avoid uneven spreading.

• Only apply materials while moving forward. Start walking before opening the gate of the spreader, and close the gate before stopping.

Do you have any lawn care tips to share? Share them on the WaterWays Facebook page. For more tips from UGA, visit http://blog.extension.uga.edu/communitygardening/.