Yard
and
Garden
WHAT
You’ve become a new homeowner, or you have just purchased your next home. You have a yard and garden that needs to be maintained. Yard maintenance can be as simple as cutting and edging the lawn. Or, it can be as complex as wanting to make a statement on your block . . . "This Is My Yard . . . and I’m Proud Of It !"
WHERE
Likely you have a front and a back yard. Typically it has a lawn bounded by sidewalks, a patio, and a driveway. The Front holds the Curb Appeal in your mind and the respect of your neighbors and passersby. The Back is where you keep your Outdoor Living.
WHY
A maintained lawn and landscape is more attractive. Beyond that, taking proper and sufficient care of your lawn and landscape will reduce the time and money needed to correct neglect or deprivation. Lawns and landscapes that are trimmed regularly, and correctly, and fertilized and watered on a set schedule, will have fewer issues (like weeds) and offer greater personal satisfaction . . . and the admiration of passersby.
WHEN
Yard Maintenance can be weekly, quarterly and annually. During the warm months, your lawn should be mowed weekly, even bi-weekly in summer. Your lawns should be fertilized quarterly. Pruning of trees and shrubs should be accomplished annually, especially during a plant's dormant period. Lawn maintenance can include lawn recovery efforts to improve a sick or neglected lawn.
HOW
Lawns are cut using a power mower, walk behind or riding. They can be corded, or cordless electric mower; or powered by a 4 cycle gasoline engine driving one or more blades and possibly self-repelled. Lawns are mowed and then trimmed with a powered string trimmer along the edges to give them a manicured look. Between mowings, lawns need to be regularly irrigated with rain in some parts of the country; or mechanical in-ground, or hose-end sprinklers in drier regions. Dry, granular fertilizers are applied with a spreader applicator ( drop or rotary ). Liquid fertilizers are broadly applied with a hose-end concentrate sprayer. Lawn and landscape pest controls are applied in much the same way, but typically only when pests ( insects, mites, fungi ) are observed or suspected. They can be broadly applied with a hose-end concentrate, or targeted with a trigger-bottle or tank sprayer.