When it comes to yard work, nothing is quite as satisfying as having a healthy lawn you can be proud of. A nice layer of turf grass helps improve your curb appeal and makes the house look more pleasant to neighbors. But there is more to keeping a clean backyard than simply mowing the grass regularly.
Lawn care involves much more effort and involves several other work hacks, which are essential to keeping your lawn in excellent condition year-round:
1. Mulch frequently
Mulching is another great way to keep your lawn looking great all year long. Mulch helps suppress weeds by keeping them from getting sunlight so they won’t grow as fast as they would on bare soil. Mulch also helps retain moisture in your soil so that water doesn’t run off right away after watering.
2. Mow your grass high
Mowing your lawn high allows the clippings to break down faster and prevents them from matting together and becoming a fire hazard during dry conditions. It also reduces thatch build-up in your lawn, which makes for healthier soil and better growth overall.
3. Consider hiring a professional lawn service
Professional lawn mowers have experience with all types of mowers and equipment, so they know how to get the most out of them. And because they’re professionals, they’ll be able to give your lawn exactly what it needs without any guesswork involved. Plus, if you hire someone with years of experience in your area, they’ll know which plants are native to your area and which ones aren’t.
4. Utilize a rain barrel
Rain barrels are not just for conserving water and being environmentally friendly. They also keep your grass healthy and green, they provide good-looking water features, and they can help save money on your water bill. So how do you utilize a rain barrel? Well, first of all, you will need to buy or build one. Then, determine where it should be placed and how large it needs to be. You may need multiple barrels depending on how much water you want to collect and how many plants you want watered in your yard. The next step is to drill holes into the bottom of your barrel so that the water flows out of it instead of simply seeping out over time as it would if there weren’t any holes drilled into it at all. Then attach tubing to the holes and place them where you want them (such as on top of another container if there isn’t enough space on the ground). Now that your rain barrel is ready to go, all you have to do is hook up the hose from your house and let nature do its thing.
5. Aerate your lawn
Aerating involves punching holes into your lawn with an aerator attachment on your mower. The holes allow air and moisture into the soil, which improves drainage and makes it easier for roots to grow deep into the ground instead of just along its surface. A byproduct of aeration is decomposed organic matter that builds up around the holes. This material can be left on top of the soil or raked away depending on how much you want to do after aerating.
6. Fertilize
Fertilizing is the best way to improve your lawn’s health and appearance. The mix of good fertilizer and proper watering will help your grass grow deep roots, which makes it more resistant to drought and heat stress. The more water that gets down into the soil where the roots are, the longer they will remain healthy. The best time to fertilize is in the fall or spring, but you can also fertilize during the summer months if you are having problems with your lawn. Just make sure that it has stopped raining for at least 24 hours before applying any fertilizer.
Don’t let yard work put a damper on your summer. Use these hacks to make mowing and other yard maintenance tasks easier. With a little effort, you can enjoy your lawn more and with less effort.
