Easy Tips for Maintaining your Lawn

Taking good care of your lawn, without spending an exorbitant amount of time and money, is probably one of your top priorities when it comes to maintaining your yard.

The first order of business is to properly mow your lawn. It all starts and ends with a good cut. Some mowing tips include:

    * Do not cut your grass too short. Longer grass chokes out many weeds, and has a stronger root system.
    * Do not remove any more than one-third of the blade during any one mowing. This can shock the lawn and cause it to brown out.
    * Do not mow when the grass is wet.
    * Change up the mowing direction for each mowing, as this allows for a more even cut.
    * Keep your grass clippings on the lawn, as they quickly decompose to add nutrients to the soil.
    * Keep your lawn mower blade sharpened to ensure a clean cut every time.
    * Change the oil in your mower at least once a season, or as recommended by the manufacturer.

Other tips for a healthy lawn include:

    * Water less frequently, but deeply, as this encourages a strong root system. Most experts recommend a good watering of about one inch once a week, although this will vary slightly depending on climate, soil composition, grass type and time of year.

An easy way to find out when you have reached one inch is to place a bucket in the line of the sprinkler and measure it until the water level reaches one inch.

    * Aerate your lawn once a year, as this allows water, air and nutrients into the soil and prevents soil compaction. Some aerator tools can be pushed by hand around the yard. For larger yards, you may want to hire the services of a lawn care company that uses ride-on aerators.
    * Use organic fertilizer whenever possible. A good ratio is 3% nitrogen, 1% phosphorous and 2% potassium.

Some helpful mowing safety tips include:

    * Keep all children and pets out of the yard and away from the lawn mower at all times.
    * Never cut the lawn when it is raining or lightening.
    * Never allow a small child to ride on a riding lawn mower.
    * Discuss lawn mower safety with your children, and do not allow a child under the age of 12 to operate a mower.
    * Walk through your yard and check for stones or sticks that could become projectiles if run over.
    * Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for safety and maintenance.