Time Saving Lawn Care Tips

Time-strapped homeowners take heart - you can have a great-looking lawn without spending the whole weekend on it. If you start with a plan, you can dedicate less than two hours a week to the average lawn and still produce great results.

The most common lawn care problem homeowners face is finding time to keep everything looking nice. The best way to overcome this problem is to prioritize your lawn and yard care tasks when busy schedules create a time crunch.

Basic lawn care for a yard less than a quarter-acre in size can take as little as 1-2 hours per week. Focus on doing the basics, and doing them right:

• Cut your lawn less often. Never "scalp" your lawn thinking you'll have to mow less often. Allowing the grass to grow a little longer is far healthier than mowing too close. Scalping damages the grass blades, preventing the damaged lawn from fending off pests, diseases and weeds. Let the grass grow a little longer, but only cut one-third of the height of the grass each time you mow.
• Cut the front yard first. If you are in a time pinch but you don't want your yard to look out of control, mow the front yard first. After all, it is what everyone sees when they drive past your home. When you have more time in a day or two, mow the backyard. Do the same with trimming.
• Water more efficiently. If you use manually placed sprinklers, mark the sprinkler locations so you won't have to guess where they should be set every time you water. If you can leave the sprinkler attached to a water hose, you have just saved a few more minutes. Water early in the morning (perhaps while you are getting ready for work or having breakfast) to enhance soil absorption and avoid evaporation.
• Get the kids to help. Put your kids in charge of easy yard care chores. Have them clear the yard of all toys, sticks and other objects before you mow. They can also help with watering, raking and caring for potted plants.
• Fertilize once, when it can do the most good. If you only have time for one fertilizer application each year, fertilize when your lawn is actively growing. At your garden center, ask for a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer. It is less likely to damage your lawn if your application technique is not perfect, and will continue to work its magic for weeks.
• Keep your mower in good working order. Nothing is more frustrating than having that spare hour to work in the yard and your mower won't start quickly, or at all. Have your lawn mower tuned-up once a year or do it yourself (it takes 30 minutes or less, learn how at www.mowertuneup.com). If you have someone tune it for you, do it off-season so you won't have to wait for weeks (while your grass is growing) to get it back from the shop.