Taking care of a lawn can be challenging, but having a thriving, weedfree, lush lawn is essential to your home’s curb appeal. By taking care of your lawn, you prevent poor grass growth, weeds or crabgrass, dog urine spots, and pests like moles or grubs. Luckily, some helpful hacks can make lawn care easier:

1. Aerate your yard
Aerating your lawn is important because it allows air, water, and nutrients to get down to the roots of the grass. This helps the grass grow stronger and healthier. To aerate your lawn, you can use a hand-held aerator or a gas-powered one. If using a hand-held aerator, be sure to aerate in multiple directions to get all areas of the lawn. And, if using a gas-powered aerator, be sure to go over the lawn multiple times to ensure all areas are aerated. You can poke holes in the ground with a garden fork or similar tools to aerate manually. Do this every few inches all over the lawn. If you are using pest control measures to get rid of grubs, make sure not to aerate before treatment, as this can cause the insecticide to be less effective.

2. Fertilize and mulch
Fertilizing and mulching your lawn frequently is essential to help the grass grow. Fertilizer provides nutrients for the grass, while mulch helps to retain moisture. Mulching also helps to prevent weeds from growing. Use a spreader to distribute the fertilizer over the lawn evenly when fertilizing. Be sure to follow the directions on the package. As for mulching, you can either buy mulch or make your own. To make your own, chop up leaves with a lawn mower. When landscaping using mulch, be sure not to put it up against the house or trees, as this can cause problems.

3. Mow the grass with mower blades set high
Mowing high and regularly is essential for a healthy lawn. This means that you should mow the grass at 3 to 4 inches. Mowing too low can damage the grass and make it more susceptible to disease. And, mowing too infrequently can also cause problems. It is recommendable to use a sharp blade when mowing. A dull blade will tear the grass, which can damage the lawn. Following a pattern when mowing is also essential so you don’t miss any spots. If your fencing or trees are in the way, mow around them.

4. Water early in the day
Watering your lawn early in the morning is the best time to water. This is because there is less wind and the sun isn’t as strong so the water won’t evaporate as quickly. Watering will also help the grass absorb nutrients better. When watering, do it slowly, so the water has time to soak into the ground. Watering too quickly will cause runoff and won’t be as effective. And, be sure not to water the sidewalks or driveway, as this can cause problems with concrete. Also, remember to clear your gutters regularly to prevent water damage to your lawn.

5. Consider hiring professional lawn care services
If you don’t have the time or ability to take care of your lawn, consider hiring professional lawn care services. This is an excellent option if you want a beautiful and healthy lawn without all the work. When hiring professional lawn care services, ask about their experience and qualifications. For example, if your garage or shed is near your lawn, you’ll want to ensure they have experience working around garages and sheds. Also, be sure to ask for references and look at their website or social media page to get an idea of their work.