A healthy, well-maintained lawn provides numerous benefits for you, your family, and your community. It can increase your home’s curb appeal and property value, save you money on water and energy costs, improve air quality, and more.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of a well-maintained lawn – and give you some tips on how you can make sure your lawn looks great in every single season.
What Are the Benefits of a Well-Maintained Lawn?
There’s no denying that a beautiful, green lawn can greatly improve your home’s curb appeal. If you’re thinking of selling your home, maintaining your lawn is a great way to increase its value.
Homes with higher curb appeal simply sell better than those without it. So, if you’re looking to boost your home’s value—and sell it faster—a well-manicured lawn is a wise investment.
Also, did you know that a 2,500 square foot lawn produces enough oxygen for a family of four? Lawns also help fight climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses. In addition, grass is cooler than pavement or concrete by up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, which helps reduce the “heat island” effect in urban areas.
This is when dark surfaces absorb heat from the sun and transfer it back into the environment, making cities hotter overall.
So not only do well-maintained lawns look nice, but they also help create a cooler and cleaner environment for everyone in your community to enjoy.
Spring Lawn Care Tips
As the weather starts to warm up and the days get longer, it’s time to start thinking about lawn care. Although it may seem like a daunting task, a little bit of elbow grease now can go a long way in ensuring that your yard is looking its best come summertime.
Fertilizing
Applying fertilizer to your lawn in the spring will give it the nutrients it needs to grow thick and green. Be sure to use a fertilizer that is specific for the type of grass you have.
Watering
Watering your lawn deeply and less frequently is better than watering it lightly every day. This encourages your grass to develop deeper roots, which can help it withstand periods of drought.
Mowing
When mowing your lawn, be sure to set the blade on your mower to 3 inches or higher. This will help prevent your grass from being scalped by the blade and will also allow it to better compete against weeds.
Overseeding
Overseeding is the process of planting grass seed into an existing lawn. This can help thicken up your lawn and improve its overall health.
Pest, Disease, and Weed Control
Inspecting your lawn regularly for pests, diseases, and weeds is important in order to keep them from taking over. Be sure to treat any problems as soon as you see them (or suspect them) by using a pre-emergent herbicide, insecticide, or fungicide as needed. Otherwise, the tips mentioned above (proper watering, mowing, etc) will go a long way in keeping a healthy, disease-, weed-, and pest-free lawn.
Dethatching/Aeration
Dethatching is the process of removing dead grass and build-up from your lawn. Aeration involves punching holes into compacted soil so that air and water can better reach the roots of your grass. Both of these activities can help improve the health of your lawn – ask your local cooperative extension for advice on when to do these tasks for your lawn.
Summer Lawn Care Tips
Warmer weather is here, which means it’s time to start thinking about summer lawn care. Caring for your lawn in the summer months is different than during other times of the year, so it’s important to know what steps to take to ensure your grass stays green and healthy all season long.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing your lawn in the spring is key to keeping it green and healthy all summer long. A slow-release fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is ideal. Be sure to apply fertilizer according to the directions on the package—applying too much can be just as harmful as not applying enough.
Watering
Proper watering is essential for a healthy lawn. Water early in the morning so that the sun can dry the dew off the grass before nightfall. This will help prevent diseases from taking hold. How often you need to water will depend on several factors, including the type of grass you have, the weather, and whether or not you have an irrigation system. A general rule of thumb is to water deeply and less frequently rather than shallowly and more often.
Mowing
Mowing is one of the most important aspects of summer lawn care. Be sure to mow regularly and at the correct height for your type of grass. For most types of grass, cutting it no lower than 2-3 inches is ideal. Leaving your grass too long can make it more susceptible to disease, while cutting it too short can damage it.
Overseeding
Overseeding your lawn in early summer can help fill in any bare or thin spots that may have developed over winter or spring. Overseeding also helps crowd out weeds and creates a thick turf that is resistant to pests and diseases. When overseeding, be sure to use a grass seed mix that is suited for your climate and soil type.
Pest, Disease, and Weed Control
Pests, diseases, and weeds are all common problems that can plague a lawn in summertime. Be proactive in treating these issues by using products specifically designed to control them. Be sure to follow all label directions carefully when using these products—applying them correctly is crucial for their effectiveness.
This is the time of the year when you may find it more effective to use post-emergent products than pre-emergents. Again, talk with your local cooperative extension office for more advice on your unique lawn and problem.
Dethatching/Aeration
Again, dethatching and aeration won’t always be necessary in the summer, especially if you’ve already done these tasks in the spring (most lawns need dethatching and aeration just once every couple of years).
Fall Lawn Care Tips
As the leaves begin to change color and fall from the trees, it’s time to start thinking about fall lawn care. Just because the temperatures are cooling down and the days are getting shorter doesn’t mean you can neglect your lawn. In fact, taking care of your lawn in the fall is critical to having a healthy, green lawn come spring.
Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Fertilizing
One of the most important things you can do for your lawn in the fall is to fertilize it. Fertilizer helps to replenish nutrients that have been lost over the summer and gives your grass a boost as it prepares for winter. Be sure to use a fertilizer that is specifically designed for fall use.
Watering
Even though it’s cooler in the fall, your lawn still needs water. Water helps your grass roots to stay strong and healthy, helping your grass withstand the colder temperatures of winter. Make sure you’re watering deeply but less frequently so that the roots have a chance to grow deep into the ground.
Mowing
Continue to mow your lawn through the fall, but reduce the height of the blades slightly. This will help prevent diseases and pests from getting a foothold in your lawn over winter. Be sure to rake up or mow any leaves that collect on your lawn so they don’t smother the grass underneath.
Overseeding
Overseeding is important because it helps to fill in any bare spots in your lawn and adds new seedlings that will be stronger and healthier than existing grass. Overseeding also helps crowd out weeds, so it’s a win-win! Be sure to use a quality seed mix that is specifically designed for your climate and soil type.
Pest, Disease, and Weed Control
As winter approaches, pests, diseases, and weeds will be looking for a place to overwinter in your lawn. Take steps now to control these problems so they don’t get out of hand come springtime. Apply fungicides and herbicides as needed to keep problems at bay. And finally, make sure you’re mowing regularly and removing any debris from your lawn so that pests don’t have a place to hide.
Dethatching/Aeration
Dethatching and aeration may or may not be necessary in the fall,depending on when you last completed these tasks.
If you notice any of the following signs, your lawn may need to be aerated or dethatched:
- Thin patches of grass that are struggling to grow
- Bare spots where grass used to grow
- Excessively muddy or compacted soil
- Water pooling on the surface of the lawn after a rainstorm
If you notice any of these signs, aeration or dethatching your lawn can help to improve its drainage and encourage new growth.
Winter Lawn Care Tips
Winter lawn care might seem like a daunting task, but with these simple tips, you can keep your lawn green and healthy all season long.
Fertilizing and watering on a regular schedule are usually not necessary during the winter (unless you live in a climate where winters are extremely mild and your grass continues to grow).
The same goes for pest, weed, and disease prevention – most of your preventative efforts will take place in the fall so you shouldn’t need to do anything during the coldest months of the year.
Overseeding
The type of grass you have plays a big role in how well it withstands the winter weather. If you live in an area with harsh winters, you’ll want to choose a grass seed blend that includes perennial ryegrass. This type of grass is hardy and will stay green even under the snow!
Dethatching/Aeration
Aerating your lawn allows oxygen, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass. This is especially important in the winter when the ground is frozen and roots have a hard time getting the resources they need. Aerating also helps reduce compaction, which can damage your lawn. You can aerate your lawn yourself with a hand-held tool or hire a professional to do it for you.
Final Thoughts
Applying the right lawn care basics depending on the season will help you have a healthy and beautiful lawn all year long. Spring, summer, fall, and winter each present their own unique challenges when it comes to taking care of your lawn.
By following these tips, you can rest assured that your lawn is being properly taken care of no matter what time of year it is. So what are you waiting for? Give these tips a try and see how they work for you as you cultivate your own backyard oasis!