Summer Yard Care

As we head into summer, it is natural that people want to spend more of their time outdoors. This is especially the case for homeowners—if you paid for a yard, you want to use it! Especially in Boston, having a yard is a cherished oasis. While it is a relief to stop thinking about icy walkways and paying for snow removal, yard care is essential. Summer brings a whole new checklist of actions to keep your yard in shape. Depending on the size of your yard, this can feel like a daunting task. Read below for our tips for taking the best care of your outdoor space this season!

Yard Care 101: Preventing Issues Vs. Treating Them

There’s no underestimating the convenience of preventing lawn issues as opposed to dealing with them when they become larger problems. This means that preventative maintenance is key and can save you from future headaches and expenses. Ask any expert, and they will tell you that it is much easier to prevent weeds from popping up in your yard than it is to get rid of them once they are there. Weeds make your yard appear dry, discolored and overgrown. The best way to keep weeds away is basic yard maintenance—regular mowing, using proper treatments and focusing on any bare spots in the grass. Not all yard issues are created equal. If you are overwhelmed by the amount of different options for products to buy, ask a neighbor with a similar yard or a professional at the store.

Decide on the Best Lawn Mowing Method

There are many contributing factors that relate to which form of lawn mowing makes the most sense for your property. For example, if you have a very small yard, it is probably not financially wise to hire an expensive company to come out and mow for you. Rather, it would be worth it to invest in your own lawn mower or hire someone in the neighborhood to mow for you. Maintaining a small patch of grass is fairly inexpensive and not very time-consuming. If you have a large space of grass, it is worth it to look into a yard maintenance company, or to invest in a more high quality mower of your own such as a riding mower.

Take into account your schedule and how much time you would have to devote to the yard. If you only get to spend a few hours enjoying the outdoors, you want to spend them relaxing rather than mowing! The other benefit of hiring a lawn mowing company is that they stick to a specific schedule, and know the proper care needed for your yard.

The Right Amount of Water

When it comes to watering your yard, the line is very fine between too little water and too much water. Experts tend to agree that watering once a week is a good idea. You also need to take into account the weather in Boston. Boston weather can tend to be unpredictable, which can change the schedule for watering your hard. For example, if it is going to rain all week it is important not to over-water, which can cause flooding. If it is humid and dry, your yard likely needs a little extra care. Do some research on the type of soil that is in your yard, as some soils require a bit more water than others. Of course, newly planted grass seed needs a bit more attention in the form of a daily watering. When in doubt, ask an expert!

Keep Track of Fertilizing

While fertilizing can seem like just another step in an already long routine, it is an important one that should not be ignored. Without fertilization, your grass cannot grow and look healthy and green. The good news is this task does not need to be repeated often—in fact, most experts agree that four times per year is enough. Of course, it is a good idea to get additional guidelines from local Boston experts. There is an incredible amount of different types and brands of fertilizer. It can be helpful to visit a local hardware or gardening store and discuss with an expert what the best type of fertilizer is for your specific needs.

Become a Yard Care Master

A yard is hard to come by in the Boston area, so you want to make sure you are taking the best care of it possible. Using the above yard care tips can help you spend more time enjoying your yard this summer, and less time worrying about it!