I must have cut a million miles of grass in my years of business.
Over those years, I consistently saw four things that kept homeowners from getting pro-level results. They are all simple, easy to implement, and will actually save you work and money.
1. Edge your grass with an edger.
Nothing makes a yard look more polished than crisp, clean lines along the sidewalks and driveway. That can only be done by an edging tool. NOT A WEED EATER TURNED ON ITS SIDE. That is actually harder than using an edger.
Every major brand of lawn equipment sells interchangeable edger attachments. Spend $75, use an edger, and your lawn will instantly look better, guaranteed.
2. Cut grass at the proper height.
You are probably cutting your grass too short. Yes you are. You think you are helping but you aren’t. Cutting your grass too short stresses it out (which is why it looks dull right after you mow). The stress makes it hungrier, thirstier, and weaker.
One of my most popular videos describes the proper height at which to cut your grass. Give it a try and let me know the results.
3. Water appropriately.
You’re also probably watering your grass too much and too often. This hurts your lawn because 1) you wash away most of the fertilizer you just put on the grass, which means you have to fertilize more often ($$), and 2) you make your grass more susceptible to weak roots, bugs, and fungus.
Your grass is tougher than you think. I also did a video on how and when to water your grass. It may surprise you.
4. DO. NOT. BAG. GRASS. CLIPPINGS.
When you throw away grass clippings, you throw away free fertilizer. So you have to fertilize more. So you throw away money.
Some folks think clippings accumulate to create “thatch” in the grass that chokes it out. Not so. If you leave clippings on your lawn, they quickly decompose and release valuable nitrogen for the grass to use again. It’s easy recycling.
“But I don’t want to see the clippings on my lawn like baled hay,” you say. Agreed, but if you cut your grass at the proper height (see tip 2), and use a good mulching blade, you should see no clippings on your lawn after a mow.
Less work, happier lawn.
The beautiful thing about these tips is that they mean less work and more money for you, with better results.
How often does that happen?
Kevin
