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Have you recently moved into a new home in a new neighborhood?  If so, you might be looking for ways to spruce up or personalize your new home’s curb appeal.  While some people may opt to hire lawn professionals and landscapers, there’s a lot you can do yourself if you have the time or want to save the money.  Read on to discover things you can do to create a beautiful lawn that will have everyone on the block asking you how you did it.

Aerate Your Lawn

If your lawn needs lots of seeding or you’re just starting your maintenance plan, you may need to aerate. Prior to seeding the lawn, it is important to aerate the lawn. Each year the soil gets compacted and that can prevent the roots of your grass from getting the oxygen they need. Once the lawn is aerated you’re ready to seed.

Feed Your Lawn Four Times Per Year

Many homeowners believe that a single feed per year is enough, but if you really want that lush lawn, your grass needs to be fertilized multiple times per year, and you need to use the right fertilizer for your geographic location at specific times per year.  To aid with this, Scotts has a lawn care program that can help you formulate a lawn care plan specific to your needs.

Mow at the Right Time and at the Right Height

How and when you mow the lawn can make a big difference in the overall look.  The frequency and height have much to do with the type of grass you’re growing as well as the season.  For example, cool-season grasses are generally cut on the mower’s highest setting.  Warm-season grasses do better with a shorter cut.  This method allows the grass to establish a stronger root system while also shading the soil to help prevent weeds from sprouting.  Additionally, you’ll want to mow frequently enough that you’re not removing more than ⅓ of the grass blade height at a time. 

Water Properly

It’s best with lawncare to water deeply and less frequently. Letting the grass soak in water allows the roots to grow more deeply, and helps it better survive times of drought.  If your grass begins to look a bit gray and the blades don’t bounce back after being walked on, it’s due for a watering.  When you water your lawn, you don’t want it to be so wet that water is puddling, but you do want the soil to be a bit sticky.  Additionally, grass requires less water in the spring and late fall than in the summer.  Therefore, depending on where you live, you may only need to water once per week in the spring and fall, but three times a week during the summer.

Use Good Grass Seed

Once you determine the best type of grass to use for your lawn, you’ll want to make sure you purchase a good brand.  You would think all seeds are created equal, but that’s not always the case.  Different manufacturers have different methods of processing seeds, and some methods help the seeds sprout.  Do your research to find out what the best brands are for your yard.

Spot Treat Weeds

It’s easier to maintain a lawn via spot treatments of weeds than it is to rescue a lawn that’s been overtaken by weeds.  There are many weed killers out there that are perfectly safe for your lawn and will stop weed growth dead in its tracks.