A lush green yard can boost curb appeal, home values, and your pride as a homeowner. But the weekly mowing and occasional watering isn’t always enough to combat weeds, bare spots, or browned out grass. Fortunately, lawn care doesn’t have to be a full-time job.

Below are 5 easy steps to maintaining your yard.

How to Maintain Your Lawn

Mow it high

Mowing your lawn down short gives it a nice, clean-cut look. But it also deprives the grass of precious water. Longer blades equal longer roots, and longer roots have the ability to dig down deeper into the soil to find the water needed to keep the grass healthy and green.

Taller grass blades also help to shade the ground and block out weed sprouts. Set your mower to one of the higher settings, and you’ll be surprised at what a difference it can make.

Water it correctly

Grass needs water to survive, but what it really needs is correct watering. Around 1” of water per week is ideal for most types of grass. So if the weekly weather forecast doesn’t deliver on that amount, you may have to give your yard a drink.

The key to watering a yard is to do it infrequently but deeply. Instead of a light watering multiple times per week, give it one thorough soak 1-2 times per week during dry spells. Shallow watering can lead to shallow root growth. Deep watering encourages roots to follow the water down into the ground and establish and maintain a strong foundation. Also, try to water during the early morning or late night hours to avoid costly evaporation.

Fertilize

Choose a fertilizer that’s rich in nitrogen and offers a balance of both fast-acting and slow-release contents. Follow these steps for fertilizing your lawn and be careful not to overdo it, or you can risk burning out the grass.

Treat for weeds

The best defense against weeds is a thick and healthy lawn that crowds out weeds and deprives them of a chance to grow. But if you do get some weeds to sneak in, consider using an organic or chemical-based herbicide. There are different types for different needs, so know which kind of weed killer you will need for your situation.

Aerate

Once a year, rent an aerator from a hardware store and use it on your lawn. Punching holes in the grass allows precious oxygen into the root system and fights against soil compaction and thatch buildup.

Consider a Landscape Redesign in Raleigh, NC

A well-maintained yard is only as good as the overall landscaping design that it’s a part of. Consider complementing your lawn with a redesign of your landscaping to really help it pop. Read about some tips for choosing a landscape designer, and imagine the possibilities for your property.

Consider Redwood Land Design for your landscape design in Raleigh, and enjoy your lush new lawn.