Lawn Maintenance Checklist For New Homeowners

  Purchasing a new home, especially for the first time, is exciting. This newfound responsibility and ownership can be thrilling, and there are endless possibilities to make the home truly yours. You can create a home to your taste using renovations, redecorating, and lawn maintenance.   Suppose you previously lived in a rented apartment. In that case, you most likely have never had to take care of a yard before and know almost nothing about lawn maintenance. That's fine, as this comprehensive checklist will highlight everything you need to do, when, and how to do them.  

What Do You Need For Lawn Maintenance?

  The first thing to do is always assess your inventory. Creating the lawn of your dreams is only possible if you have the right tools.    

A Lawn Mower

  A high-quality lawn mower is one of the most important tools for creating and maintaining a healthy lawn. Fortunately, there is a plethora to choose from; you can select from battery-powered or gas-powered, riding, or push mowers. Regardless of which configuration you choose, it needs to be a reliable piece of equipment.   The last thing you want is to spend a considerable sum on a lawn mower that breaks down after only a few years of use. You will need a mulching mower to get the most out of your lawn maintenance routine. This type of mower cuts the grass trimmings up before expelling them to the lawn. With a mulching mower, you don't need to worry about disposing of the clippings; they instead are used as fertilizer for your lawn.     

Sprinkler or Hose

  Every lawn needs water to survive, and you can water it using a basic garden hose. A hose is a cheap way to water your yard; however, you must ensure it waters all parts of the lawn. Failure to cover all parts of the lawn could result in you having brown patches in an otherwise green landscape.   Alternatively, you can get a sprinkler system to cover all your bases. This automatic watering system ensures every inch of the lawn is watered on a set schedule while reducing waste. Sprinklers are great at providing water coverage for larger lawns.  

Fertilizer and Fertilizer Spreader

  Over time, grass can lose some of its nutrients due to factors like heavy foot traffic and water runoff. Fertilizing your lawn is vital in lawn maintenance as it helps restore lost nutrients while protecting grass from diseases. Fertilizers can also boost root growth and prevent the development of weeds. You will need a fertilizer spreader to apply nitrogen-rich fertilizer onto your lawn.  

Aeration and Fertilization As Part Of Lawn Maintenance

  Now that you know the essential tools you need for lawn maintenance, you can get started on a few practices that every homeowner with a natural lawn should know.    

Aeration

  Aerating your lawn means making small holes within it to help it breathe. This process removes buildup and loosens the soil. A lawn with holes allows water and fresh air to reach the roots seamlessly. As part of your landscaping routine, you should aerate your lawn at least once a year.   The most effective time to aerate is right before the winter. You can aerate by manually making holes in the soil or using a mechanical core aerator–usually available for rent at hardware stores. Alternatively, you can hire a landscaping service to handle the entire process.  

Fertilization

  The fertilizer and fertilizer spreader we discussed earlier will be useful during this lawn maintenance procedure. As stated earlier, fertilizing your lawn protects it from diseases and fuels root and grass growth while preventing weeds. You should fertilize your lawn once every season (a maximum of four times) to ensure your lawn's nutrient levels can promote continuous growth.   As new homeowners, you might need to learn your property's soil type, meaning you must test a soil sample. The test will measure the amount of acidity, nutrients, and any other essential metrics. Once the sample is analyzed, you can get the right fertilizer that meets your lawn's needs.  

Lawn Maintenance Means Getting Rid Of Weeds

  One less-mentioned aspect of lawn maintenance is weed control. As a new homeowner, you must learn all you can about herbicides. Herbicides typically fall into two categories: Pre-emergents and Post-emergents.   Pre-emergents eliminate weeds at the root, preventing them from sprouting. These herbicides prevent the weed problem from manifesting. Post-emergents, on the other hand, treat weeds that have already sprouted on your property.   Spraying your lawn with herbicides can improve its overall aesthetics while saving you time and energy that you might spend pulling weeds out manually. For best results, pre-emergents should be sprayed in the winter to help your lawn fight potential weed growth in the spring. Post-emergents are best sprayed during the spring to prevent weeds from spreading across your lawn.  

Conclusion

  The entire lawn maintenance process can seem challenging to new homeowners. However, once you create a system and master it, you will be rewarded with a healthy, great lawn that improves your property's aesthetics. Nevertheless, if the entire process seems too daunting, you can always hire a professional lawn maintenance company like Perfection to handle it for you. This way, you can be sure your lawn is getting the best maintenance and attention needed to thrive.