Keeping your lawn healthy and beautiful can sometimes be a challenge. Issues, such as weeds and crabgrass, poor grass growth, and pests, can pop up without much warning, and they can stop your lawn from growing to its full potential. Fortunately, utilizing a few tips and tricks can make lawn care much easier and less stressful, and these clever hacks can also save you time and money:
1. Utilize a rain barrel
As their name suggests, rain barrels are used to store rain, typically as it drips down from your roof. These barrels make yard work and lawn care easier in a few ways. First, they prevent water from running into your lawn. Excess water on your lawn can cause uneven growth or even dead spots. After you’ve collected the water, you can also use it to water your lawn or any other plants, saving you money. Recycling water in this way is also a better option for the environment.
2. Aerate your lawn
Aerating your lawn offers several benefits. It relieves soil compaction, helps to grow strong turfgrass roots, and helps manage grass thatches. These things can, in turn, help the grass better absorb nutrients, fertilizer, and water, which makes for a thicker, hardier lawn. Aerating your lawn also reduces puddling while increasing heat and drought resistance. It’s also an excellent way to prepare your lawn for its dormant season during the winter.
3. Fertilize and mulch frequently
Fertilizing your lawn on a regular schedule helps to ensure that the grass is receiving the proper nutrients it requires to thrive. It’s important to create a balanced fertilizer schedule, though, as over fertilizing can be detrimental and may cause burned areas. Many people choose to supply their lawns with nutrients by using natural mulch instead or in addition to fertilizing. Mulching fallen leaves back into your lawn is a great way to do this. As the leaves decompose, they release vital nutrients, helping to improve overall growth while providing the lawn with a protective layer during the fall months.
4. Mow your grass high
Mowing your grass high ensures a more resilient, healthier lawn. Taller grass blades can shade out weeds, preventing their growth. Grass with taller blades also tends to have longer roots, which helps the grass access water and nutrients more readily. Cutting your lawn too short can also stress the grass, which may cause yellow or brown patches.
5. Consider hiring a professional lawn service
Professional lawn services have all the experience necessary to take care of your lawn properly. They can spot potential issues before they become big problems, saving you time, money, and stress. Lawn care professionals can also design mowing, fertilizing, and mulching schedules for your lawn’s specific needs. They can then adjust and implement these schedules, so you never have to worry about sticking to a schedule or trying to decide what’s best for your lawn.
