The final paperwork is signed, the keys are in your hands, and the post office has confirmed your address is changed and updated. Congrats! You’re officially a homeowner. Ever-increasing rental rates, leasing office headaches, and parking space war zones are a thing of the past. As a new homeowner, you’re no longer restricted to renter rules. You now have the freedom to do what you want and when you want, including custom spray painting your walls fire engine red without needing permission (go ahead, we won’t judge you!).
While roaming the aisles of Home Depot in search of paint, you realize a lot of work goes into home upkeep. As a renter, you never had to worry about the repair and maintenance responsibilities that come with home ownership, such as plumbing, roofing, and appliance upkeep. But funnily enough, one of the responsibilities that new homeowners are the most surprised to find so time consuming is yard work.
Contrary to popular belief, there is more that goes into having a healthy, aesthetically pleasing green lawn than meets the eye. Simply mowing the lawn once a month doesn’t cut it (pun intended).
No need to worry. We researched the ins and outs of all things yard and lawn maintenance. Not to mention, we interviewed Jason Cameron, star host of Desperate Landscapes on HGTV’s spin-off, the DIY Network for his input. With top-pick tools and recommended products, here are four easy-to-follow lawn care tips for new homeowners like you. So, grab your checklist and let’s dive in!
1. Inspect Your Yard
It’s normal for new homeowners to gravitate toward interior decorating projects. You’re eager to have everything accustomed to your liking and style—we completely understand. But before you do, it’s important to first thoroughly inspect your home, including the exterior. Why? To eliminate hazards and prevent costly damages in the long run. Consider a leaning tree near a window during a thunderstorm. Doesn’t sound so safe, right? Also, holes in your lawn may indicate you have moles, which can damage your turf and make your yard enticing for other rodents, such as mice. And cracked or eroding hardscape, such as your sidewalk or porch steps, can be due to root invasion from plants.
So, before investing in lawn care necessities, canvass your yard for:
• Dead spots (grass discoloration)
• Holes or uneven lawn surfaces
• Decay or erosion in hardscapes (driveway, sidewalk, fence, etc.)
• Bent or leaning trees/plants near the house or power lines
Performing a yard inspection can help you identify what needs immediate tender loving care, as well as prioritize which lawn tools to buy first. Keep in mind, if you want your grass to maintain its fresh green look, or are considering adding a garden one day, it’s essential to routinely check your soil as well, which brings us to the next tip.
2. Stick to a Lawn Routine
Ok, tomorrow’s outfit is ironed, the coffee-maker is ready, and the alarm clock is set— your nightly routine to start the next day on a good foot. Sticking to a routine helps us utilize our time and get things done. With that said, consider adding yard work to your weekly or monthly home maintenance routine (your lawn will thank you). Here are a few fundamental, routine tasks to help preserve your yard aesthetics and tools:
Mowing- Maintaining an even, smooth lawn requires cutting, ranging from once a week to once a month, depending on the season, climate, and type of grass. To maximize even cutting, lawn mower blades should be sharpened every one to two months.
Watering- Encourages grass growth. The amount and length of time depends on the season, climate, and grass type.
Fertilizing- Research your type of grass to choose the best fertilizer brand that provides specific nutrients needed, as well as the type of spreader suitable for your yard size. (Only recommended once or twice per year.)
Aeration- This requires puncturing holes into ground to circulate oxygen to the lawn’s roots. The process can be done effectively using a mechanical core aerator.
Weed Control- Manually remove or use herbicides to kill off weeds, such as dandelions, that absorb nutrients from grass and other plants.
3. Invest in Effective Lawn Care Tools
Remember the interview with Jason Cameron that we bragged about? As a licensed contractor, we wanted Jason’s top recommendations of landscape and lawn care tools. Here’s a list of what he suggests every homeowner should have:
- Fiskar’s Hand Ratchet Pruners
- Fiskar’s PowerGear2™ Lopper (25”)
- Fiskar’s POWER TOOTH® Softgrip® Folding Saw (10”)
- Greenworks’ Cordless lawn mower
- Greenworks’ Cordless string trimmer
- Leaf Rake
- Digging Shovel
- Snow Shovel (for those living in cold climates)
- 3-piece Garden Tool Set (trowel, transplanter, and cultivator)
4. Know When to Call a Professional
Truth be told, it can take a while to learn the intricate parts of lawn care. There’s a lot of knowledge and skill that goes into effective lawn care and maintenance, not to mention costs, depending on the size and specific needs of your property. If doing it yourself is too time-consuming, or too much of a liability (those lawn mowers love to spit rocks through windows!), then calling a professional lawn care service to do the job is your best option. Visit our top ten lawn care service companies to compare services and make the best choice for your home and budget.
And don’t feel overwhelmed! We know that was a lot of information to absorb all at once, so take all the time you need. As always, ConsumersAdvocate.org is your home for helpful resources, how-tos, and product and service reviews.