Your lawn is an important component of your home’s curb appeal, but keeping it looking lush and attractive can sometimes feel like an overwhelming chore. Fortunately, just a few key steps can go a long way toward maintaining a lovely landscape. Read on for three tips to help you create a healthy front yard.
1. Provide Adequate Water
In general, occasional deep watering is more beneficial for your lawn than frequent surface sprinkling. You want the water to penetrate down to the roots of your grass, which can extend as far as five inches into the soil. Many experts recommend choosing an impact sprinkler over an oscillating one, as this type of sprinkler will deliver water closer to the surface and reduce evaporation. This means more hydration will sink as deeply as is needed.
One more good move is to operate your irrigation system in the cool hours of the morning. This is another way to minimize evaporation, which is at its peak when the sun is high. Early-morning watering also has the added benefit of keeping your lawn dry overnight when it’s more susceptible to fungi that thrive on moisture.
2. Fertilize and Protect
In an ideal setting, your lawn would flourish with only water, soil, and sunshine. However, since conditions are rarely perfect for most homeowners, your grass will likely benefit from occasional fertilization with healthy nutrients that will encourage thick blade production. You’ll also want to control unwanted growth from invasive weeds by using an environmentally-friendly weed-control product. Crabgrass, dandelions, and ragweed can quickly overtake your lawn and turn it into an unsightly mess. A lawn care expert can recommend a wide range of fertilizer and weed killer products that can deliver results that will help keep your yard looking great.
3. Mow Wisely
Did you know that dull mower blades can be the enemy of a healthy lawn? If your blades aren’t sharp, grass shoots have the tendency to become torn and damaged, which often stunts their growth. Conversely, sharp blades will create a clean cut that is more apt to encourage quick growth and create a lush, verdant look for your landscaping.
It’s also smart not to cut too deeply when mowing. By taking off just the top one-third of your lawn, then leaving the leafy, nitrogen-rich clippings to decompose on top of the remaining grass, you’ll be helping to keep weeds from taking root and will also further reduce water evaporation. Use a light touch with your mower and aim to tackle this task when your grass is dry and it’s not too hot out. This can help reduce stress and shock on your lawn and keep it in top shape.
By watering effectively, feeding and protecting smartly, and mowing carefully, you can do a lot toward ensuring you have the healthiest possible lawn on display in front of your home. While it may take a bit of effort, following these tips will help your landscape become a beautiful showpiece that makes a great first impression on your visitors.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
Speak Your Mind