lawn care basics

The average American spends 32 hours each month on lawn care. That’s more than a full day each month.

Taking care of a landscaped lawn includes tasks like mowing the grass, pulling weeds, working in the garden, and watering the yard. Many homeowners take pride in their lawns, so it’s considered time well spent.

The trouble is, what if you’re spending all that time and your lawn still doesn’t look great?

Luckily, learning a few lawn care basics can make all the difference. Read on to learn the lawn care tips that will make your lawn look better, while saving you time and energy.

Don’t Mow Your Lawn Too Short

As a homeowner, mowing the lawn is probably your most time-consuming lawn care task. That’s why many people cut their grass short so they don’t have to mow as often.

While this may save you time, it’s not good for your grass. In fact, cutting the grass too short can make it more susceptible to scorching and disease. Longer grass holds in more moisture and can even prevent weeds from growing.

Each time you mow, you should only remove the top third of the grass. Pick one of the higher settings on your lawn mower wheels, especially during the hot summer months.

Water Your Lawn Correctly

During a drought season, your instinct may be to give your lawn a bit of water every day. But, this can actually create shallow roots and weaken your grass.

Instead, it’s better to water your lawn less often but for a longer period of time. Giving your lawn a deep soak every week or so will encourage your grass to grow deeper roots.

Not only will you have a more resilient lawn, but you’ll also have a lower water bill. It’s a win-win.

Fertilize Twice a Year

Water isn’t the only thing your lawn needs to look healthy. It also needs fertilizer.

A good rule of thumb is to fertilize at least twice a year, but you can fertilize more often if you’d like. You’ll get the best results if you fertilize in the spring and fall.

Warm season grasses, like the ones you’ll find in Texas, especially need fertilizer in the spring. Your lawn will be coming out of dormancy and providing healthy nutrients will start the season off on the right foot.

Look Out for Pests

An important part of lawn care is to watch out for pests. In Texas, the most common insect pests are fire ants, ticks, and fleas. Fire ants can kill your grass and pets can bring ticks and fleas into your home.

The best course of action is to keep those pests out of your lawn in the first place.

At the first sign of an issue, it’s wise to call a professional especially if you’re dealing with fire ants. They’ll know which chemicals and insecticides work best. Plus, they can come back and reapply as needed.

Let the Pros Handle Your Lawn Care Basics

Once you have these lawn care basics down, your yard will become the envy of the block. Plus, your grass will be healthier and more resilient to drought.

That said, sometimes you need lawn care help from a professional. If you’re looking for high-quality and reliable lawn care, Granulawn can help. We offer fertilization services, weed control, and more to the North Texas area.

Contact us today to book a service call.