During a time when “staycations” encourage homeowners to get the most enjoyment from their lawns, keeping lawn care as care-free as possible is a number-one priority. Here are a few tips to keep your lawn and property looking its best at all times:

No. 1. Fertilizing. Performing lawn care tasks is one thing, performing them at the right time is another. Timing is crucial when it comes to things like fertilizing, weed control applications, and aerating. Having an experienced lawn care company analyze your lawn can greatly improve the health and beauty of your lawn. click here for more info on fertilizers and fertilization.
No. 2. Aeration. Excessive thatch prevents water and nutrients from penetrating the soil and reaching the roots. It causes shallow rooting and creates unhealthy growing conditions which can bring on weed and disease problems. Try to aerate and/or de-thatch once a year.
No. 3. Misdiagnosis. Well-meaning do-it-yourselfers often inadvertently cause more harm than good by misdiagnosing a lawn problem. Unless you’re positive of the problem, consult a lawn care specialist who can provide you with the correct solution for your lawn care challenges.
No, 4. Seeding. Eager to get their lawn looking great, homeowners are often anxious to seed new grass to thicken up their lawn. Seeding is typically best in the fall when grass is going into dormancy for the winter.
No. 5. Improper use of pesticides – READ THE LABEL. There is no greater piece of advice than to READ THE LABEL. Pesticides are toxic, poisonous, and can have devastating effects on non-target organisms. Pesticides should never be used as a silver bullet. Use only in conjunction with a responsible Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. Pesticides must be handled, stored and used with extreme caution so READ THE LABEL. All the information needed to safely use a pesticide is located on the label. It is often best to contact your local lawn care professional to receive the utmost care in such sensitive areas.
No. 6. Mowing Misconceptions. Some homeowners try to reduce the number of times they mow by mowing too low, essentially “scalping” the grass. This can put the lawn into shock and allow weeds and insects to take over. Additionally, mowing with a dull blade increases water loss from plants and requires more gasoline to power the mower.
No. 7. Removing the lawn clippings after mowing. Lawn clippings are a great source of nutrients for your soil. Rather than bagging grass clippings when you mow, recycle clippings back into the soil.
No. 8. Wrong plant, wrong place. Planting unsuitable grass or plant types for your specific region is an easily avoidable mistake. Ask a lawn care expert in your area for a list of the plants and grass types that will thrive with your average temperature and soil type.
No. 9. Trimming Trouble. Using a trimmer too close to the base of a tree may actually kill the tree over time. It’s important to be mindful of trees and shrubs when caring for your lawn.
No. 10. Watering Woes. Watering is a tricky task. Avoid over or under watering your lawn – a slow steady water once a week is a good rule of thumb. Lawns require a minimum of 1 inch per week of water – or as much as local water restrictions allow — achieved in about 30 minutes of watering. Be mindful of the weather and time of day when watering as well. Watering in the heat of the day actually wastes water to evaporation; water early in the morning to maximize the moisture on your lawn.

The difference between a head turning, lush green patch of turf and a spotty, mediocre lawn is, for the most part, knowledge.  If you follow the guidelines given above you should be able to have a beautiful, healthy, green lawn to enjoy with your family and friends in no time.