As any homeowner will know, this is the time of year when mowing the lawn becomes a weekly chore and weekend plans must accommodate the need to ensure the grass doesn’t get out of control.
There are a number of steps you can take to reduce the time and energy needed to mow your lawn, especially if you use a push-mower.
When you’re selling your home, it’s critical you keep your lawn neat and tidy. Overgrown grass and weedy flowerbeds make a terrible first impression that will send many buyers away before they’ve even stepped across the threshold.
When you’re spending good marketing dollars to attract potential buyers, this is the last outcome you want.
The quality of your yard maintenance plays a pivotal role in a buyer’s decision on whether to pursue your property or move on to the next one.
If the yard isn’t in good shape, many folks will think it’s a sign the rest of the home hasn’t been maintained.
Here are six tips to help you reduce the effort it takes to mow a lawn:
Robot mowers – It’s a big budget item, but a robot mower can do a great job in small and medium-sized yards. They take a little time to set up, but after that you can sit back and relax! A robot lawnmower often improves the quality of turf because grass likes to be cut frequently. Expect to pay anything from $600 to $5,000.
String trimmer – If your mower catches the grass clippings to ensure a neat finish, you should always use a string trimmer or weed whacker around the edges first. This way, your mower will ensure a great finish.
Get trimming – Low-hanging branches of shrubs and trees that have grown across the lawn should be trimmed back. This will prevent the need to duck and dive around these obstacles. Ideally, your mower will reach the trunk of each tree or shrub.
Flatten the contours – Lawns are rarely perfectly level, but when you have a sudden dip your mower doesn’t always clip the grass. Prevent this problem by filling the dips with premium topsoil, and allow the grass to grow through. For bigger jobs, dig up the grass, level off the lawn with topsoil and then put the grass back on top. Water it regularly until it’s re-established.
Use edging – Circular edging around a tree trunk will make mowing far easier. Be generous with the space you give the tree so it remains healthy. When installing the edging, avoid cutting into the roots, which often grow into the top soil. Complete the task by mulching around the tree.
Flowerbed layout – If you’re more ambitious, you can install flowerbeds that are curved rather than have sharp corners that are difficult to navigate with a push-mower and especially a ride-on. If you edge the flowerbeds with a perimeter of paving or brick, you’ll create what’s known as a mowing strip. This means you don’t need to use a string trimmer to finish off the edges.