Kids running under the sprinklers. The feel of grass under your bare feet. The sight of a sea of green running to the bottom of your yard.
There’s nothing like enjoying a well-maintained lawn. And when it comes to selling your property, the return on investment for a few hours’ work over the year is significant. Potential buyers are impressed by a property which is kept in good shape, helping them imagine their dream life and encouraging them to make an offer.
It’s summer right now, so homeowners across the country will be watering and cutting the grass. If you’re new to lawn maintenance, it’s worth having an overview of how your tasks change across the seasons.
Winter
In the winter, your lawn is dormant and there’s little you need to do right now. However, if you live in a snowy region, be careful with how you use salt to de-ice paving. If too much salt gets on your lawn, you can cause serious damage.
Spring
Now the days are getting warmer, it’s important to prepare for the coming year. Start off by making sure you have all the equipment you need. Sharpen your mower’s blades, buy a rake and get any tools repaired now.
Spring is the time for raking your lawn to remove leaves and any other debris which could damage your mower. It’s also a good time to treat lawn moss which is most vulnerable when the weather is cool and wet.
Once you notice the grass starting to grow, get cutting, although at a slightly shorter than normal length. You should also be removing any clippings from your first few mows to prevent the spread of fungus which can hurt your lawn .
Summer
Throughout the summer you’ll want to be moving at the recommended height for your grass (usually three inches) at least once or twice per week. You should also leave clippings on the lawn.
In the warmer months, you’ll also want to water the most. For an established lawn, you should aim for at least 1 inch per week – including rainfall.
Grubs are also active over the summer months, so inspect your lawn for pests and destroy them.
Fall
Over the fall, you should continue cutting the grass at normal heights until the grass stops growing – while keeping your turf hydrated. In northern states, you should be fertilizing your grasses until a few weeks before the first predicted frost.
The grass is greener!
A well-maintained lawn is not just a pleasure in itself – it also makes a great first impression for potential buyers. By taking the time to prepare and maintain your lawn, you win twice .
