Lawn care basics for new homeowners

Buying a home is one of the most exciting events of your life.  But while the thrill and pride of moving into your new home is something to be enjoyed, you’ll likely soon realize that maintenance and upkeep are required to keep your new home functioning and looking its best.  

One of the more visible areas of your home is your lawn.  It’s one of the first things that neighbors and visitors will notice when they approach your home.  New homeowners generally know they should keep their lawn mowed, but beyond that, they may not know what else they need to do.

Here are some lawn care basics for new homeowners that will help keep your lawn looking great.

The right tools for the job

Basic lawn care is like any other upkeep activity for your home: if you want to do it properly and efficiently, you need the right tools for the job.  New homeowners may not have some or all of this equipment on hand when they move in.  For the most basic lawn care tasks, here are some tools you need to invest in:

A good lawn mower

There are dozens of different lawnmowers on the market.  They are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, power levels, and features.  From small electric push mowers for a modest lawn to gasoline-powered workhorse garden tractors for tackling acres of property, you’ll want to buy the right mower for your needs.  

If you’re having trouble narrowing down which mower to buy, start by knowing the area of your lawn in acres.  When you visit your hardware or home improvement store, knowing your lawn area can be useful when talking with a sales associate.  It can also be valuable to gather recommendations from family and friends and read online reviews.

A reliable trimmer

Trimming helps put one of the finishing touches on your lawn care work.  Using a trimmer to cut the grass in those nooks and crannies of your yard, in places where your mower can’t reach, is best done with a trimmer that is reliable and easy to use and maintain.  There are many models available, from electric battery powered to gas powered, and with a range of features.

A suitable edger

One of the final touches in basic lawn care is using an edger.  While small lawns can often be edged with a trimmer, having a larger, more powerful edge is usually more effective for bigger lawns.

Do the work

While opinions from homeowners vary, many experts recommend not mowing your lawn too short.  They often recommend that you put your mower on its blade’s highest setting.  While you don’t want your lawn to become overgrown, using the highest setting will:

• Promote root development
• Create shade that prevents soil dehydration
• Block harmful sunlight and limit weed growth

Don’t mow too quickly; use your mower to get an even cut across as much of your lawn as you can.  Then grab your edger and use it along your sidewalks, driveway, flower beds, and other places you’d like to create a neat, clean border.  Finally, use your trimmer to trim or even out areas that your mower couldn’t cover, so your laws will look like a consistent height everywhere.

More advanced lawn care

Mowing, trimming, and edging are the basic three lawn care activities.  However, there are some additional things you can do to take the health and appearance of your lawn to the next level.  

Patching, watering, and properly fertilizing your lawn can help it stay green and lush throughout the year. Be sure to confirm that any fertilizer or other lawn treatment you plan to use are safe for kids and pets.

You might also consider adding some natural landscaping with some shrubs, bushes, trees, and other plants that complement your lawn and make your exterior spaces look even better.