No one wants just bare concrete in front of their house—your yard is not complete without a lawn. Rich greenery adds interest to your yard and provides a foundation for additional landscaping projects. However, a lawn needs to be maintained. When grasses are neglected, they become pale yellow and unattractive, and issues like grass patches and erosion might arise. Here are some tips for taking care of your grass that are both easy and sustainable:

1. Utilize a rain barrel
Rain barrels are an excellent way to keep your lawn, garden, plants, and trees healthy during droughts. By collecting the water that runs off your roof when it rains, you can collect and store water for later use without having to use your water system. Rain barrels also aid in the reduction of rainwater runoff into the storm drain system, which can cause water contamination.

2. Aerate your lawn
Compacted soil can hinder plant roots from accessing the nutrients, water, and air they require, resulting in a dry, sad lawn. Therefore, it is important to aerate your lawn before the peak growth season for grass, which varies depending on whether you have warm- or cool-season grass. Aerating involves using tools to poke holes in the soil, allowing water and air to reach the grass roots and helping your grass to grow strong and green. 

3. Fertilize and mulch frequently
Fertilizer can improve the health of your lawn and plants. However, excessive fertilizer can encourage weed growth, cause your lawn to burn, and contaminate nearby waterways. Therefore, you should only apply fertilizer once or twice annually. The optimum times to fertilize your yard can vary depending on your grass type, so consult a local landscaper. Moreover, a fresh layer of mulch can transform your entire backyard, and reapplying mulch in the spring also offers other landscaping benefits. Mulch will preserve the moisture in your soil and safeguard the soil from harsh weather changes and weeds. Plus, mulch offers additional nutrients to your soil as it decomposes.

4. Mow the grass high
Homeowners who want weedless lawns should not cut their lawns short. Higher grass will make your yard appear fuller,assist in suppressing weeds, and reduce damage to your lawn overall. Allowing your grass to grow 3 to 4 inches taller helps the root system to develop deeper in the soil, rendering your grass more drought resistant. Furthermore, bigger roots help keep grubs from destroying your lawn.

5. Consider hiring a professional lawn service

Even if you’ve given your grass excellent regular care, hiring a professional lawn care service to handle your lawn maintenance needs is still a smart option, especially if you are short on time and experience when it comes to lawn care. Lawn care experts can help you control pests, such as grubs, and eliminate weeds in an environmentally responsible manner. They may also assist with aeration, planting, fertilization, and other services, like gutter cleaning, to keep your backyard looking its best all year.

Regardless of how you decide to build and maintain your lawn, getting an early start will guarantee that your outdoor area is ready for pleasure all summer long. If you follow the above lawn care suggestions, you will grow greener grass!