All of us want to enjoy a backyard that looks green and luscious. But, you have to take time out of your day to make sure you are putting in the needed work to get a patch of green just like you would usually see in an interior design magazine.
Lawn maintenance can be tricky and intricate. But, once you figure it out, you won’t have to worry about a drab-looking yard ever again. Read on as we list a few tips that you can follow to improve the appearance of your lawn.
Backyard Care Tip #1: Create a Proper Mowing Routine to Keep Your Grass Healthy
No backyard will look good if it is not mowed on a timely basis. And, no matter how much you might hate spending the day mowing your lawn, sadly, you just have to. This is important to keep your yard in top condition.
A common mistake that many of us make is to cut the grass way too short. Most of us do this to save time and prolong the mowing routine. However, when the grass becomes too short, it can make way for weeds—something which you most certainly do not want.
Keeping this in mind, it is better to have the grass on the taller side. A good rule of thumb would be to never cut more than one-third of the grass blade. Not only will this make your grass healthier, but it will also give an overall better look to the lawn.
Another tip would be to keep the blades of your mowers sharp. Dull blades can make the edges of the grass rough. It will also lend a brownish or greyish appearance to the grass. Due to this very reason, the periodical replacement of the blades of your lawn mower is important.
To help you save time, make a point to invest in advanced equipment that can help you in case you have a huge backyard. For example, buying a riding lawn mower or a self-propelled lawn mower can be really helpful to reduce time and effort on your part.
Backyard Care Tip #2: Make Sure that Your Backyard is Protected from Weeds
One of the biggest issues with weeds is that once they develop a root system in your lawn, uprooting them can be quite a troublesome task. You have to take measures before any weed starts popping in your lawn, which creates the need for you to be cautious.
Thankfully, there are different types of weed killers available in the market. You can select one which you feel would be best for your lawn needs. In addition to this, you have to be really careful when you are applying the weed killer. Being careless or ignorant may cause a lot of damage to your desired foliage.
In terms of selecting the correct weed killer formula, think about the foliage type that you have in your lawn. For example, using a pre-emergent herbicide can be great to exercise control on the growth of pesky and hard to demolish weeds. This type of formula works even before the weeds have appeared in your yard. This may include dandelions, broadleaf weeds, and so on.
Always remember to read the instructions that are normally printed on the back of the formula. You will also need to wear protective equipment and gear whenever you are starting work. After all, prevention is always better than cure.
Backyard Care Tip #3: Stick to Planting Native Shrubs, Flowers, and Trees
There are many of us who are attracted by the appeal that exotic plants, flowers, and trees may add to your lawn. But, what we fail to take into account is the high maintenance and difficulty that it comes with.
If you stick to planting native shrubs and grass seeds, you will be able to save a lot of time and effort. In addition to this, since these plants and grass are accustomed to the climate, they thrive beautifully, making your lawn look impressive.
Adaptability is the other benefit that you can avail by using native foliage. Temperature change, less water requirement, ability to fight diseases and pests, and so on can be overcome by opting for native plants and shrubs.
The other factor is, of course, your comfort. You won’t have to take out a lot of time from your schedule to maintain your lawn if you just avoid exotic plants. A definite win-win situation for you.
Backyard Care Tip #4: Understanding the Importance of Planning Your Lawn Beforehand
Planning a lawn is quite an elaborate task, which is also why a lot of people tend to skip it in the first place. You have to take into consideration the location of your lawn, the amount of money you can spend, and even the total time that you can devote to lawn maintenance to name a few factors.
It would be delusional to think that your lawn would look amazing if you don’t put in prior research or function without any knowledge. Not only will this make lawn maintenance a lot of extra work, but it will also not be good for your wallet.
Take out time to plan your lawn, and plan well. Think about the type of grass that you would need to cover the land, the types of weed that it may attract, the feeling and fertilization that you might require, and the budget according to which you have to function.
We would also like to add how there are low maintenance alternatives available as well. If taking care of real grass looks like too much work for you, you can always get artificial grass installed. If you want to stick to real grass, you can reduce the overall surface area by incorporating hardscape like patios, pathways, etc. The good thing about hardscape is that they can add beauty to your lawn while simultaneously decreasing your workload.
There you have it! These were a few tips that you can use to maintain your backyard effectively and efficiently.