How to Reduce Lawn and Garden Maintenance

Whenever you find that your lawn is in need of more maintenance than you actually have time for, it is important to reduce the amount of maintenance that is actually required.  Fortunately, there are ways in which you can offset the amount of maintenance that needs to be done simply by following a few tips.

• Choose a longer grass.  Since it will grow relatively tall, it will require less watering.


• Choose a grass that is native to or that adapts well to your area.  This type of grass will also require less watering.


• Improve the condition of your soil.  Supplement it with organic material.  Make sure to aerate it yearly.  This will reduce the need for watering since organic material tends to maintain moisture longer.


• Aerate your soil.  This will loosen it up and allow for circulation.  It will also promote deeper, healthier root growth.  Furthermore, aeration enables grass to absorb more moisture.


• Don't use any chemicals on your yard.  This will only require you to mow and water your grass on a more frequent basis. 


• Keep your lawnmower's blade sharp so that it will make cleaner cuts.  You may need to get a new one and then continue to keep it sharp.  Once you have a good, sharp blade on your lawnmower you will notice the difference.  Your grass will not get damaged.  It will also look greener and the water will evaporate a lot slower, which means that it won't need to be watered nearly as much.


• Allow your lawn to go dormant whenever there is a drought.  This is natural for your yard.  Once it returns it will be greener and healthier too since it had time to rest.


• Whenever you water your yard try to make sure to do so evenly.  In other words, don't over water some areas just so you can properly water others.  Since your lawn has a large root system, even water coverage is the best.


• Whenever you are naturalizing bulbs, avoid cutting the grass.