The best tips for lawn maintenance can vary according to several factors, including the region of the world in which the lawn is located, the amount of available water, the size of the lawn, and so on. Keeping the lawn looking healthy and green can take an investment of time and energy, so it is important for the owner of the lawn to devote a fair amount of time to lawn maintenance. Investing in high quality maintenance equipment, such as an appropriately sized mower and fertilizer spreader, can also make the maintenance process easier and more thorough.
Most people associate lawn mowing with lawn maintenance, and for good reason: a good mowing job can keep the lawn looking healthy and green throughout the growing season, and a bad mowing job can kill the grass and make the lawn look terrible. The best way to ensure a good cut is to make sure the lawnmower blade is sharp; a dull blade can chop the blades of grass, allowing them to die more quickly and preventing them from growing evenly and quickly. Mowing every four to five days during wet seasons will keep the lawn looking lush, and mowing less during dry spells — every 10 to 14 days — will prevent over-cutting that can kill the lawn.
Some homeowners mistakenly believe that removing grass clippings when mowing is a good step toward proper lawn maintenance. In most cases, as long as the lawn is mowed regularly and properly, the lawn clippings should be left on the lawn to provide mulch to the soil. The grass clippings provide nutrients to the soil, thereby promoting better grass growth and health. If the grass is especially thick and long during cutting, it may be necessary to remove the clippings to prevent them from clumping and stopping sun and moisture from reaching the grass and the soil beneath.
Watering and fertilizing should be done regularly and properly. Fertilizer should be applied at the beginning of the season as well as at the end, and it is important to research the best fertilizer to use for the homeowner's particular lawn. Regular lawn maintenance should include watering, usually every day or every other day. Watering should be done at the coolest parts of the day to prevent the water from evaporating too quickly, and it should be done in such a way that the water penetrates deeply into the soil.
