4 Lawncare Tips For First Time Homeowners
Posted on: 7 March 2015
Share
Did you just buy your first home? If so, you may be overwhelmed by all of the maintenance and work that a home requires. One of the most important features of your new home is the lawn. A full, green lawn can improve your home's curb appeal and increase its value. A lawn isn't difficult to maintain, but it does require constant attention. If you neglect your lawn for any period of time, it can slip into an unhealthy and patchy appearance. Here are four tips to help you keep your lawn looking green and healthy:
Cut it high. Many homeowners make the mistake of cutting their lawn short. Their thinking is that if they cut the lawn short, they can go longer in between mows. While that may be true, cutting your lawn short can also do serious damage, especially if you're in a hot, dry climate.
When you cut it high, you leave long blades of grass that can provide shade for shorter blades of grass. That helps grass grow and keeps your lawn full. When the lawn is cut short, your younger blades are exposed to direct sunlight, which could kill the blades before they get a chance to develop.
Don't overwater. Your grass needs regular water to grow. If the soil gets too dry, the grass roots will slowly die and your lawn will turn thin and brown. However, that doesn't mean you should water your lawn everyday. Your lawn also needs oxygen in the soil. When too much water enters the soil, it occupies all of the space, forcing oxygen out. That can drown your roots and prevent new grass from growing.
Ideally, natural rain water should be sufficient to keep your lawn healthy. However, there may be times when you need to supplement with a sprinkler, such as during a drought or when you've just laid seed in a thin area. In general, though, rainwater should usually do the job.
Aerate. Many homeowners skip this essential lawn care step. An aerator pulls up all the dead grass and thatch in your lawn. It also opens up small holes that allow oxygen into the soil. This should be done once or twice a year when the air is cool, such as in the spring or fall. You can hire a lawn care service to do it or you can rent an aerator at your local tool rental store.
Hire a lawn spraying service. Regular treatments of fertilizer and weedkiller are what separate good lawns from great ones. If you combine these treatments with the other lawn care tips, you'll likely have a full, green lawn year round. While you can fertilize yourself, a professional will know exactly which chemicals and treatments your lawn needs. They can customize the treatments to address specific problems, such as killing weeds, growing new grass, or killing harmful insects.
For more information, contact Turfcare Unlimited Lawn Spray Service. They can recommend a treatment program specifically for your lawn.