The quality of a lawn is a feature often overlooked by sellers but it says much about how you maintain your home in the buyer’s eyes.
The condition of your house frontage is critical in making that all-important first impression and a well-kempt garden has a vital part to play.
A lush lawn will complement any landscaping improvements that you make before putting your home on the market.
But if your yard is full of weeds and wild grasses, you might undo all the other good work designed to maximise the value of your home.
Lawns require some diligent maintenance through the year, so it’s impossible to improve them overnight unless you re-lay the turf – and that’s a cost that can get expensive.
Here are some tips for maintaining your lawn so that it’s in pristine condition when you decide the time has come to sell.
Lawns are not a big commitment
Many owners let their lawn deteriorate because they believe it to be a daily vigil of weed-pulling. But it would help if you used an appropriate weedkiller to stop dandelion, chickweed and clover infiltrating the grass.
Timing is everything
Put a hose on your lawn at any time between dawn to 9 am. If you do this task in the heat of the day, a lot of the water evaporates before it reaches the grassroots. Don’t water in the evening as it encourages fungus.
Less is more
Don’t water your lawn every day. You should water deeply but infrequently, as this will strengthen the roots and reduce the risk of fungus.
Sprinkler systems
Sprinklers can be more effective than having you standing with the hose for 20 minutes. A sprinkler will not use more water but will ensure even distribution of the water.
Don’t cut too short
A No.1 cut will kill the grass. Mowing short weakens the roots, damages the nutrient supply and invites fungus and weeds. And short grass doesn’t mean you’ll mow less. Let the grass grow so it’s spongy underfoot, but keep it tidy.
Fork talk
Many gardeners will tell you to aerate the soil, but that’s only necessary if the soil is compacted. If this is something you need to do, be aware that a garden fork is the most physically taxing way to get the job done. Investigate aerator shoes or a push wheel. Once finished, fertilise and seed your lawn for the best results.
Take a weather check
If you’re going to fertilise your lawn, do it a couple of days before it rains so all that work doesn’t wash down the drain.
Lime light
You might believe you need to scatter lime onto your lawn but be careful. Too much lime will burn the grass, turning it brown. If you do use lime, go easy. Only add it when the pH levels in your soil need adjusting.