Home Lawn Care
- Xeriscape lawn care employs native plants and minimizes the amount of watering needed by the lawn and plants. According to the Texas A&M Agriculture Extension Service, there are seven main features to a xeriscape lawn program, including planning and design, soil analysis, practical turf areas, appropriate plant selection, efficient irrigation, use of mulches and appropriate maintenance. Look into xeriscaping if you want maximum efficiency in home lawn care.
- Lawn mowers can have many featureslawnmower image by sumos from Fotolia.com
If you are doing your own home lawn care, a lawn mower will be a necessity unless you have decided to go with a southwestern-style rock garden for a lawn. Lawn mowers are gas operated, electric or manual. There are also robotic lawn mowers that will do the job without assistance. Lawn mowers are often identified by horsepower and the higher the horsepower, the more forceful a lawn mower will be. Lawn mowers are best suited to match the mowing area and the person that will be doing the mowing. For example, a small yard is best suited to a lawn mower with smaller horsepower, but it may require extra effort to push it. Some lawn mowers have a self-propelled feature, making it easier to push. Lawn mowers come equipped with or without grass clipping bags. Carefully consider all lawn mower features before buying. - A crisp, clean edge where the grass meets a sidewalk or driveway is ideal. A manual lawn edger with a long handle and sharp blades that roll on top of overgrown grass will never stop working by running out of gas or trim line. However, the exertion required to push the rolling manual edger back and forth can be be overwhelming if the edging area is large. Electric and gas powered edgers use plastic line that flicks out rapidly, severing border grass into a straight edge. Electric and gas edgers also work well on grass that is alongside buildings and fences. The plastic line can tangle, however, and needs to be replaced as use dictates.
- There are several methods to choose from regarding weed control. Preventing weeds from popping up in flower beds can be done by using landscape fabric, which is anchored over soil, with small holes cut into the fabric for placing plants through into the dirt. A commercial business can be hired to provide monthly weed control or try spot treating weeds as needed with a weed killer. Choosing a chemical-free method of weed control would require familiarization with natural weed control techniques, like those touted by Howard Garrett, "The Dirt Doctor," who has recipes for natural fungicides and herbicides.
- Don't forget to water the yardwater sprinkler on the green grass lawn image by Elnur from Fotolia.com
An automatic sprinkler system, when used properly, will keep your lawn and plants irrigated with the least amount of trouble. Automatic sprinkler systems are often installed just under surface soil when new homes are built, but can be added to any lawn later on. Narrow PVC water pipes run under the grass, connected to sprinkler heads that spray water when the timer is set. Automatic sprinklers are handy for people who are gone a lot or don't want the hassle of dragging hoses and sprinklers around the yard. Regardless of what method is used, a lawn needs to be watered regularly to keep its health and appearance. - Wood mulch is available in many forms and keeps weeds at bay while helping soil retain moisture. Mulch also provides a sculpted, finished look to flower beds and bushes. Mulch comes from a variety of woods, with cedar wood being the most aromatic, and it is more insect repellent than some other kinds of mulch. Mulch can be in the form of bark chips or shredded wood and comes in shades of brown, red and black. Examine mulch features, looking for mulch that suits the needs of your lawn. Perhaps mulch that is more sun-resistant is desired, or search for mulch does not float if flooding is a potential problem.
- Have a regular schedule for trimming bushes and trees. A heavy trim twice a year, after winter and before summer, is generally sufficient. Learn the proper method for trimming bushes and trees on your property or hire a lawn service to do it. Place all clippings in recyclable bags if your city provides such a service.