Lawn Care Maintenance Do’s and Don’ts For New Homeowners
Are you a new property owner? Congrats! Owning a home is a huge milestone that comes with plenty of responsibility. As you tend to your new home’s needs, don’t forget to look after your property’s landscape. Afterall, lawn care maintenance is a huge component of home care and home improvement. Here are simple do’s and don’ts to help keep your lawn in optimal condition.
DO Mow Often
Ideally, you should mow your lawn once a week or so, during the growing season. However, this will depend on how fast the grass grows, which is affected by where you live.
DON’T Mow Too Short
Grass that is too short is more prone to weed growth and disease. For example, too short grass can have difficulty absorbing water. For a healthy lawn, aim to keep the grass at 3 to 3.5 inches.
DO Test the Soil
Before you fertilize your lawn, you need to know the current nutrient status of the soil. You can contact your lawncare professional to test the soil, and they can provide recommendations for lawn care and which fertilizer to use.
DON’T Overfertilize
When properly applied, fertilizers optimize lawn health. Applying too much fertilizer, however, can harm the soil and stress the grass. To know how much to apply, follow application rates on the bag.
DO Use Natural Fertilizers If Possible
Whenever possible, choose natural fertilizers over synthetic fertilizers. Natural fertilizers are environmentally friendly, whereas synthetic fertilizers present a high risk of leaching and emitting greenhouse gases.
DON’T Fertilize During A Drought
To save energy, grass goes dormant during drought. Appling fertilizer during a drought can further stress the grass. Resume fertilizing the grass once the drought is over.
DO Water in the Morning and Evening
It’s best to water your lawn in the early morning and evening. This will ensure the grass absorbs the moisture properly, rather than the water being evaporated, should you water at midday.
DON’T Pull Weeds By their Leaves
You want to remove weeds by the root, to help prevent them from growing back. Insert a screwdriver into the base of the weed, wiggle the tool around to loosen the plant, then pull near the weed’s base to remove it.
DO Keep an Eye Out For Pests
Monitor your lawn for any brown spots or missing vegetation, as these can indicate pest infestation. If you suspect or notice an infestation, reach out to lawncare professionals to resolve the issue.
DON’T Overwater
How much water does your lawn actually need? It depends on the species of grass and type of soil present. As a general rule of thumb, give your lawn one inch of water a week. If you notice run-off as you water the lawn, water at a less intense flow.
DO Aerate Periodically
Aeration, or creating small openings in the soil, allows water, air, and nutrients to soak into the dirt. Usually, you should aerate your lawn once or twice a year, depending on where you live. Unsure how to aerate your lawn? Contact a professional landscaping service to get the job done.
DON’T Use Dull Lawnmower Blades
Dull blades tear rather than cleanly cut grass. The result? Ragged grass is more susceptible to disease. Sharpen lawnmower blades as needed.
DO Contact A Professional For Lawn Care Help
Dealing with leaky sprinkler heads? Improper drainage on your lawn? Or perhaps you simply want someone else to tackle lawn care, so you can further focus on work and family?
Contacting a professional lawn care service ensures your outdoor space is properly tended to, while saving you time. A professional can also address any problems your yard poses, and they can also prevent other issues from occurring, such as weed or pest infestations.
Lawn Care Maintenance Optimizes Your Property
As you settle into your new home, take time to maintain the outside portion of your property. Think of your yard as your home’s “best face forward.” With proper lawn care maintenance, you can ensure your exterior property is tidy, healthy, and presentable.
This article was written by Leah Campbell at Third Loft Marketing.