Landscaping and lawn maintenance can take quite a bit of time and investment. As a homeowner, you may feel a little lost when it comes to taking care of your garden and lawn, and you may be worried about maintenance costs.
Of course, it depends on how much you have. But, whether you own a large piece of land or a cozy little yard, chances are you’ll only spend what’s necessary to maintain it.
With that in mind, take note of these five ways you can save money on lawn care.
- water dashingly
When to water your lawn and how much water to use can be confusing. Let’s be honest, you want to save money on your water bill, and overwatering is a direct result of high bills.
The best way to avoid overwatering is to install a rain gauge to measure the amount of rainfall over the course of a week. These are very inexpensive. Next, use a sprinkler with a large drop rather than one with a high fine mist. Lawns only need about 1 inch of water per week, including potential rainfall. Implementing these measures can easily save money on your water bill.
- Cut to the right length
Blame it on movies and gardening magazines, but homeowners always think their lawns should be clean and neatly mowed.
Since you don’t live on a golf course, the goal of lawn care is to have a nice functional lawn and stay economical. First, purchase a proper mower with adequate settings. Next, make sure you mow no shorter than 2 to 3 inches. This ideal length provides enough shade for the plants and helps lock in moisture, reducing the need for watering.
Just remember to follow the “one-third rule” when mowing. Don’t mow more than one-third of your lawn. Doing this simple suggestion will ensure a healthier lawn, less water consumption, and less need for fertilizer.
One last thing to remember is to keep your mower blades sharp for a smoother cut, which also promotes a healthier lawn and less watering.
- Know when to apply fertilizer
When it comes to saving time and money, most homeowners aren’t sure how often to fertilize their lawn or even what to use. Generally, you should fertilize for the first time on Labor Day. This is when your lawn is at its hungriest and it will respond well to nutrients. If you want a second application, then apply it in October. Fertilizer is basically food for your lawn, so this is a “second helping” for your hungry grass. Spring is here …… Is your yard ready? We have some tips to get your yard ready for the new season without spending too much green.
More fertilizer can be harmful. If the soil on your lawn is sandy, too much fertilizer can seep through the soil into groundwater, lakes and streams. Grass doesn’t self-regulate like humans do, so the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in fertilizers can weaken turfgrass growth, cause disease, and eventually suffocate your lawn. It’s usually best to contract with a lawn care company who will apply the right lawn fertilizer for your area.
- Aerate your lawn
An often overlooked method is aeration. Aeration is when you poke holes in the soil with an aeration tool to loosen the soil. Consider renting a commercial aerator for this task so you’re not stuck with a tool you only use once a year. Or opt for a pair of aerator shoes (this will give your legs a good workout!) .
Aeration is another way to conserve water. Lawns are like sponges, and aeration removes thatch from your lawn – that hard, dark brown substance that builds up at the base of the grass and soil, leaving your lawn darker, not brighter green.
- Seed, if needed
If your lawn is 30 or 40 years old, consider reseeding. Older lawns are more prone to disease and require more watering. Obviously you want to avoid this! Experts recommend that you over-seed, as it helps to introduce healthier varieties to the fescue you already have.
Another key point to remember is that people often do this at the wrong time of year and waste a lot of money. The best time to reseed is in the fall. This gives the grass plenty of time to grow through the winter and into the spring. It is not wise to plant in the spring because there are only a few weeks to mature before the heat of summer damages the grass.
