
Maintaining a green, healthy lawn can be a lot of work, especially in the middle of a hot, dry summer. We'd all rather spend our weekends doing fun outdoor activities or relaxing by the pool instead of lawn work, but there are actually many ways to make lawn care a breeze. Our real estate agents are always looking for new tips and tricks to make lawn easy and efficient.
If you're looking to keep your lawn healthy all summer long with as little effort as possible, here are some DIY lawn care tips that actually work:
- Don't Cut Your Grass Too Short
When it comes to maintaining a healthy lawn, setting your lawn mower blade to the right height is so important. Cutting your grass too short actually weakens it. It also makes your grass roots more vulnerable to long-term sun exposure, which can cause it to dry out and die quickly. Before you mow your lawn, make sure to set your blade to the right height. An ideal grass height is about 2 inches.
- Fertilize Your Lawn In The Fall
One of the best and most important times to fertilize your lawn is in the fall. You want to try to time it about three weeks before your last mow of the year. Fertilizing in the fall provides much-needed nutrients to your grass roots before they enter dormancy. If grass roots have more than enough fuel to last the winter, they're more likely to start growing quickly as soon as spring arrives.
- Water Your Lawn The Right Way
Grass grows most effectively following long, soaking watering sessions. One mistake we often see homeowners make is watering lawns in short, frequent intervals. During hot summers, water can quickly evaporate before it makes its way down to the root level. By soaking your grass, so more water makes its way down to the roots, you can water less frequently, keep your grass healthier, and also save water.
- Mulch Your Planting Beds
Mulch is the best way to keep weeds under control, so be sure to add a 4-inch layer of mulch to any planting beds around the house. Mulch not only restricts weed growth but also gives soil and plants extra nutrients which allows them to stay healthy. Check out some of the freshly mulched planting beds in the yards of these Suffolk County homes for sale.
- Use A Preemergence Herbicide
Crabgrass and weeds can get out of control very quickly, so it's a good idea to address the problem before it starts. Every year, we recommend applying a preemergence herbicide to your lawn in the spring. A herbicide will keep crabgrass seeds from scattering across your lawn each year and will eliminate the problem.
- Build a Mowing Border
If you're tired of trimming grass in areas your lawn mower can't reach, a mowing border can really save you a lot of time. A mowing border is often a flat, brick hardscape that you can actually mow over, which means you won't have to go back and trim those hard-to-reach weeds and grass blades. Build the borders around your gardens or planting beds!
By practicing these lawn care tips, you're sure to have the greenest lawn on the block. Contact us today for more landscaping ideas.