Maintaining a beautiful lawn is a lot of work. It’s not something that can be done by just anyone. You need to have the right tools, the right knowledge, and the right attitude. If you want your lawn to look amazing, follow these simple steps:
Start with a fresh, clean slate
As a homeowner, you’re responsible for keeping your property looking neat and tidy. That means regular lawn care, including mowing, weeding, and removing debris. Not only is it important to maintain your own yard for aesthetic reasons, but it can also be required by your homeowner’s association. It’s much easier to improve your outdoor space when it’s clean and orderly, the same way it’s easier to paint on an empty canvas than to improve an already messy painting.
First, take care of any clutter. Store or dispose of the things on your lawn. If you want to put it back, do so later; it’ll be easier to mow and pull up weeds with nothing in the way. Also, get a rake and collect any fallen leaves, debris, and dead plants. You can set aside the organic material because you can make compost out of it, but if you plan to use store-bought fertilizer, then you can just throw it away.
Next, start taking care of weeds. You’ll need to pull up weeds from the root. This should also be part of your regular lawn care activities. You can use weed killer, too, but this will also kill your lawn grass. If you plan on getting a different kind of lawn grass, this works great. Most weed killers leave no trace after 3 days, but if you want to be sure, wait for about a week or two before planting again.
Add some color with flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees
Flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees can add a splash of color to any landscape. They can also provide a lush, green backdrop that is perfect for entertaining or relaxing. In addition, they can attract birds and other wildlife, provide shade, and even help to keep your home cooler in the summer months. If you have the space, you may even want to consider planting a tree or two. Trees can provide a beautiful view and produce fruit or nuts that you can enjoy. And in the fall, when the leaves change color, they can turn your yard into a veritable rainbow of hues.
Planting flowers, shrubs, and trees is easy. You can start with seeds, or replant seedlings and shoots. You don’t even need any tools, as long as you have water at home. You also don’t need fertilizer since you can make compost from leftover food and other organic waste. However, starting from scratch takes an extremely long time. Many flower bushes and shrubs take about 1-4 years to grow large, while a tree can take up to 7-10 years. On the other hand, you can have fully grown flowers, shrubs, and trees transplanted into your yard, but this is relatively more expensive. Flowers are easier to transplant, so they may cost anywhere from $20-$70 depending on size, variety, and rarity. On the other hand, you’ll need way more for shrubs and trees, costing anywhere between $100-$3,000 depending on size and variety. It is more expensive because established shrubs and trees require equipment to transplant, from digging up extensive root systems to transporting them and planting them back in the soil.
Once you have new plants in your yard, you will need to take care of them, too! Gardening is a fun and calming hobby, and it’s a great way to get exercise. If you don’t have the time or patience to do it, you should hire a gardener to care for your trees and plants.
Edge your lawn for a neat look
To make your lawn look well taken care of and neat, edge your lawn. You can use string trimmers, lawn edgers, or even gas-powered blowers to make crisped edges. Be sure to wear protective equipment when using any of these power tools. If you have a professional lawn service, they may already include this in their services. You can also use lawn paint to touch up your lawn in summer, keeping your grass from looking dead. This will give your lawn a well-groomed look and save you water in the summer.
Conclusion
Yard work can be tiring, but it’s worth it in the end. You need to take care of your lawn by mowing it, pulling up weeds, and adding color with flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees. You may also want to edge your lawn for a well-groomed look. If you don’t have the time or patience to do it yourself, you can hire a gardener to take care of everything for you.
