Simple Landscaping Ideas For Your Lawn

You’ve removed the leaves and fallen debris. Now it’s time to crank up that mower. Whether you’re planning a picnic under the dogwood blooms or preparing for upcoming summer barbecues, spring is the best time to start your lawn care routine.

To make the transition easy for you, here's exactly what you need to know about how to care for your lawn in spring along with some simple landscaping designs that are sure to add curb appeal. Learning how to care for your lawn is all about knowing how to care for grass — your lawn’s grass, in particular, since there are so many types available.

5 DIY Landscaping Tips

To ensure you have a thick, lush lawn in the summer, follow these easy landscaping ideas:

1. Start with weed prevention and control

In the early spring, you can prevent certain weeds, from sprouting with a pre-emergent herbicide. If it’s too late and you’ve already spotted some visible weeds, you can apply granular weed control products. Note: Certain weeds need certain products, and certain products may be preferred for certain grass types, so it’s imperative that you do your research. Want to skip the hassle of figuring out which product is right for your particular grass and how much you need to apply? (Too much can actually cause more weeds to grow.) Let the professionals at a lawn care company handle it. These experts have the know-how to ensure your grass — and not weeds — will thrive.

2. Service before you crank

Before you start mowing and trimming on a regular basis, it’s a good idea to get your tools serviced. The simple tasks of cleaning, ensuring the blades are sharp and replacing the gasoline, oil, spark plugs and air filters will help your tools stay in pristine shape all season long.

3. Mow high and frequently

Mowing your lawn short and only when it gets unsightly may seem like time savers. However, it can damage your grass and allow weeds to take over. Mow when your grass blades have grown about one-third of their trimmed height, no matter how often that is. Likewise, following lawn mowing tips, such as never cutting off more than one-third of the grass blades, can help your lawn reach its full potential.

4. Feed and water at the appropriate times

Spring is a great time to fertilize your lawn. Look for a mix of fast- and slow-release fertilizers, so your grass will green up quickly and still be fed throughout the season. In addition, soak the lawn in the morning, so the sun can dry it throughout the day and make it less susceptible to disease.

5. Add seed to thin areas

If your yard has warm-season grass, like Bermuda, late spring is a great time to throw some seed over those thinned-out areas.

Simple Landscaping Design Ideas

Now that your grass is on its way to greatness, let’s focus on the rest of your landscape. Consider these tips:

• For a pristine look, use an edger around the sidewalks and driveway.
• Design colorful and unique flower beds and gardens. Then, create clear divisions around them with borders made of stone, brick, etc. Heartier plants, like trees and shrubs, add depth to your landscape. Keep your shrubs and trees trimmed for a manicured look.
• Add mulch to your beds and around your trees to keep the plants healthy and to cut down on weeds.
• Create clear paths — to the water spout, door, deck, etc. — with stepping stones.