Yard Maintenance

When I moved into a new house a few years ago, I decided that I wanted to take better care of my yard. My old adage of "if it's green, let it grow" would no longer be acceptable.

Weed and Feed

Just as humans need to be fed, so do our lawns. In fact, a well-groomed yard requires maintenance even during winter. Scotts has an easy-to-follow program for DIY folks.

Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini Broadcast Spreader »

This spreader works extremely well and will help you spread your lawn care products evenly across your yard. It comes pre-assembled out of the box, so it's ready to go as soon as UPS delivers it. It has an edge guard feature that keeps products off your driveway and flower beds. If you have an extremely small lawn, you might be fine with a hand-held spreader.

Scotts Turf Builder Halts Crabgrass Preventer with Lawn Food »

Early spring is the best time to apply this product. It stops crabgrass all summer long and helps green up your lawn after winter. It works on established Bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass, fine fescue, Kentucky blue grass, and perennial rye grass. It's always best to apply this when it will rain within the next day or so.

Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food — Weed and Feed »

You will want to apply this product in late spring. It kills dandelions and other major lawn weeds, but you only want to use it a maximum of twice per year. It feeds the grass, which helps crowd out weeds in the future. It's best to apply this to a wet lawn.

Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food »

This product can be applied during any season, but you'll want to do it throughout the summer (every 6-8 weeks). It feeds and strengthens grass to help it through a harsh summer. It's always best to apply this when it will rain within the next day or so.

Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food — WinterGuard »

How you treat your lawn heading into winter will dramatically affect how it comes back in the spring. Apply this product in early fall and then again 6-8 weeks later in late fall. It will help build strong roots for a thicker lawn next spring.

Quick Tips

1. Leave clippings on the grass (it helps return nutrients back to the yard).
2. Cutting high will help prevent weeds.
3. If it hasn't rained in a few days during the summer, it would be wise to water your lawn.
4. Give a lawn maintenance program time. It will likely take a year before you see results.

Over-seeding and Aerating

Coming out of summer and into fall is a key time for your lawn.

Yard Butler ID-6C Coring Aerator »

Aerating your lawn in the fall is an extremely important step. It helps break up compacted soil so that water and air can penetrate your lawn and help strengthen it. Depending on the size of your yard, it may be worth hiring someone with a larger machine to do this.

Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed — Tall Fescue »

Fescue is an extremely common type of grass here in the southern US, but you'll obviously want to seed with whatever type of lawn you have now. After the aeration process is done, I recommend over-seeding your lawn. After this process, it is extremely important that you water your lawn daily (or possibly twice a day) until you start seeing new grass coming in. Avoid using hay or straw as this simply promotes weeds.

Watering

I've tried a ton of different types of hoses, but I've never found one I absolutely loved.

Gilmour 10 Series 8 Ply Flexogen Hose »

I'm currently using this hose, and I am on my second season with it. It has held up well, but despite its branding that this is the “last hose you'll ever buy,” I don't think it'll last another year. It doesn't leak, but it is kinking a bit more this year than last. It's been a good value overall, though.

Bosch Garden Oscillating Sprinkler »

I've had this sprinkler for a year now, and would definitely recommend it (as would my kids). It's inexpensive but gets the job done. It also provides a wide range of coverage, so you can cover your lawn fairly quickly.