Easy Lawn Care Tips

Article by Dana Burnett

Warm weather is upon us and with it comes the dreaded job of caring for our lawns. No one looks forward to the constant mowing, trimming, weeding, and fertilizing. The following tips will not only save you time and money, but will make your lawn the envy of the neighborhood.

Fertilizer-Ignore the hype and forget about expensive liquid fertilizers and overpriced lawn food. A simple granular 10-10-10 fertilizer applied once in the spring and once in the fall will give your lawn the nutrients it needs at the appropriate time. Also, skip bagging your lawn clippings (assuming you follow the next tip about mowing) and let your mower mulch the clippings instead to give your lawn an extra nitrogen boost throughout the season.

Mowing-If your lawn looks like a golf course; you are cutting your grass too short. The best height for grass is four inches, a setting that isn’t even available on most riding mowers, but try to get as close to this measurement as possible. The added height will reduce the need for watering during the dry spells and your lawn will be a richer and healthier green.

Another thing to consider is your mowing pattern and frequency. Most lawns require weekly mowing, this reduces lawn waste and the need to bag clippings since grass does not have a chance to grow to an unmanageable height. It is also easier on your mower, reducing the wear and strain of the motor as it pulls through tall grass. When mowing, alternate your direction from week to week; go from north to south then east to west. This will reduce the possibility of bare spots where the tires of the mower cross the yard.

Trimming-If you plan your landscape correctly; you can eliminate trimming all together. For those not that fortunate, plan on trimming your yard at least every two weeks and always trim the grass shorter than the rest of the lawn. A trick of the professionals is to turn the trimmer on its side and use it as an edger along driveways and sidewalks. This takes some practice, but once you get the hang of it, you will have a beautiful edge without the need for extra equipment.

Year End Maintenance- Once the growing season is over, before you pack away your equipment, take an afternoon to make sure that you have mulches or removed all of the fallen leaves from your lawn.

Allowing leaves to lay on the grass over the winter will result in huge bare spots the following spring. Give your lawn a final cut and trim, then a light sprinkling of fertilizer to set yourself up for a beautiful lawn the next spring.

These simple tips will give you a beautiful lawn that will make you the envy of the neighborhood as well as saving you a little time and money.

About the Author

Dana Burnett is a publisher writer living in Southern Indiana with her daughter. She owns and operates her own home decor business http://www.nanasatticstore.com, a children’s toy business http://www.punkybeartoys.com, and now her own dancewear enterprise http://www.danceweartoday.com.

Find More Lawn Care Tips Articles

A Fun Fact...


Powered By WPFacts