Lawns are needy creatures always begging for more of your precious time and money. Still, you find it hard to say “no” when a manicured field of green surrounds your home. There are many methods to cut costs and maintenance of caring for you lawn, however, without sacrificing quality and visual appeal. These tips will not only save you cash but simultaneously do its part in saving the earth:
H2O Efficiency
Gallons of water are wasted annually due to irresponsible watering and inefficient irrigation systems. Install a drip irrigation system in your lawn to cut down on wasted water. This system delivers water straight to the root system, eschewing water wasted on evaporation, wind and runoff, according to ConsumerReports.org. The ideal watering time is in the early morning before the hot sun and aggressive winds whisk the water away. Utilizing modern technology may help most of all. Install a sensor to detect the soil’s moisture levels that will initiate the sprinkler when the ground becomes arid. There are also more complex technologies that hydrate the lawn based on local weather forecasts. Or, if you want to use an old-fashioned water-saving technique, set up multiple barrels to collect water after rainfall to use during the season and save on your water bill.
Get More Out of Your Mower
Many homeowners neglect maintenance of their mowers. The integrity of the blades and the condition of the oil are often left unchecked, and your lawn and wallet will suffer for it. Sharpened blades can reduce fuel costs by up to 25 percent, according to ConsumerReports.org. If mower blades are left blunt, they’ll tear grass and increase their vulnerability to disease.
Another money-saving lawn care tip is to upgrade to another mower. Zero turn mowers function as both a mower and grass trimmer. They cut just along lawn obstructions so no further trimming is necessary and offer incredibly fluid maneuverability. According to Popular Mechanics’ zero turn mower reviews, Husqvarna’s mower emerges on top as “the most refined and easiest to use” of the bunch.
Grasscycling
Grasscycling, a fancy way of saying mulching grass clippings, is the simple process of leaving clippings on your lawn. Cut only one-third of the length of the grass per mow. The clippings will decompose rapidly and return essential nutrients and nitrogen back into your soil, thus reducing the need for fertilizer, according to RecycleWorks.org. Despite common belief, grasscycling does not cause thatch buildup nor does it spread lawn disease. Grasscycling can be achieved with nearly any type of lawnmower with an absent or removable collection bag.
Varied Terrain
Lawns need not be composed solely of grass. In fact, planting alternate groundcovers, ornamental grasses, trees and shrubs will likely reduce the amount of money and maintenance spent on your lawn. Traditional grass is the thirstiest; instead, opt for native drought-tolerant plants to take up lawn space. ConsumerReports.org recommends tall fescue as an alternative to Kentucky bluegrass because it’s much simpler to maintain. Buffalo grass is a manageable plant that’s popular in the west. Seashore paspalum and zoysia grass are two species of grasses suited for warm southern climates.
This is a guest post from Amanda West.
A yogi, gardener and strong supporter of green initiatives, Amanda is a freelance writer who hails from California.