Americans love their freedom, especially when it comes to space. It’s estimated that the average size of a lot in the United States is around 9,000 square feet. Although this number has decreased throughout the years, it’s still a lot of space for a single American family. The house would usually only take up 20% to 30% of the overall lot, leaving room for the driveway, sidewalk, and a backyard.
For most people, the backyard is a place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. It’s a space where you can have cookouts, gatherings, and parties. But some work needs to be done to keep your backyard looking its best. So here are five ways you can maintain your backyard.
Trim and Edge Your Lawn
The first step to having a well-maintained backyard is ensuring the lawn is trimmed and edged. This means cutting the grass regularly and keeping the edges of the property neat. You can use a lawn mower, trimmer, or edger to accomplish this. If you have a lot of trees or shrubs in your backyard, you may also need to trim them regularly.
A trimmed lawn is far easier to maintain, making it one of the first steps toward a well-maintained backyard. Furthermore, it reduces the chances of weed infestations. Weed infestations can be difficult to control and take over your lawn quickly if left unchecked.
Water Your Lawn Regularly
Another essential step in maintaining your backyard is to water your lawn regularly. It’s especially important when the sun can dry out the grass during the hotter months. Depending on where you live, you may need to water your lawn every day or every other day. If you live in an area with a lot of rainfall, you may not need to water your lawn as often.
You can use a sprinkler system, hose, or watering can water your lawn. One smart way to water the lawn is to have an irrigation system from your home to your sprinklers. It can re-use grey water, drastically reducing the water you use and saving on costs. However, ensure you’re using the right amount of water, so you don’t end up overwatering or under-watering your lawn.
Overwatering your lawn can lead to disease, while under-watering can make your lawn more susceptible to pests and weeds.
Control Pests and Weeds
Pests and weeds can quickly take over your lawn if left unchecked. Therefore, controlling them as soon as you see them is essential. There are several ways to control pests and weeds, including chemicals, traps, and manual removal.
Chemicals are the most common method of pest and weed control. However, they can be harmful to the environment if not used properly. Furthermore, some chemicals may be toxic to pets and children. Therefore, if you choose to use chemicals, read the labels carefully and follow the directions.
Traps are another option for pest control. Various traps are available, including live traps, glue traps, and rat traps. Traps can effectively control rats, mice, snakes, and other pests.
Manual removal is perhaps the most labor-intensive method of pest and weed control. It involves removing the pests and weeds by hand. This can be a time-consuming process, but it’s the most organic pest and weed control method.
Mulch Your Plants
Mulching your plants is another way to maintain your backyard. Mulch is a layer of material, such as wood chips, that you put around your plants. It helps the soil retain moisture and prevent weed growth.
Mulching also helps insulate your plants’ roots and protect them from extreme temperatures. In the winter, mulch can help to prevent frost damage. In the summer, it can help keep your plants’ roots cool.
Maintain Your Pool
Not every American home has a swimming pool, but those that do knows the huge pain of having one. Pools require a lot of work to maintain, but the effort is usually worth it. A well-maintained pool can provide years of enjoyment for your family and friends. It also increases your home’s overall value.
To maintain your pool, you’ll need to test the water, clean the filter, and vacuum the pool. You might also have to check the overall acidity of your pool. If you don’t know how to do this, hire a ph balancing swimming pool maintenance service to do it for you. These professionals will ensure that your pool’s acidity is just right. Furthermore, they won’t use harmful chemicals that might harm you and your family.
You should also inspect your pool regularly for any cracks or leaks. These need to be repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
Maintaining your backyard can be a lot of work, but it’s worth it in the end. Following these five tips, you can keep your backyard well-maintained for years to come. You can also increase your home value while decreasing overall maintenance costs for your home.
