Did you know that Americans spend close to $60 billion a year on lawns and lawn care? We’re clearly obsessed with gorgeous, green grass. Yet, despite all of the money and effort we put into our yards, many of us struggle to achieve that perfect look.

Do you feel like you need some tips for improving your lawn? You’re in the right place! Keep reading for five of the most important lawn-maintenance secrets.

1. Cut Your Grass the Right Way

Most people cut their lawns way too short. Grass roots actually grow as deep as the blades are high, so keep it at two to three inches for best results.

Grass kept at a three-inch height is more drought-resistant and the extra growth will help shade out weeds. Keeping your lawnmower blades sharp will also help keep your grass healthier by reducing damage to the blades. If you want to cut down on this hassle of cutting the grass every week, read more on how to get artificial grass in Austin for your lawn.

2. Aerate Your Lawn

If the soil underneath your grass is too compact, it won’t grow properly. Aerating your lawn will improve air circulation, water drainage, and nutrient absorption.

This traditional way to do this is by punching holes in the lawn. However, this is a tedious process that many homeowners don’t want to deal with. Try using liquid aeration instead, and you’ll be surprised by how much it improves the look of your lawn.

3. Water Deeply and Less Frequently

Watering your lawn all the time won’t necessarily make it look great. Instead of turning on your sprinklers for a few minutes several times a week, water your lawn heavily only once a week.

Generally, one inch of water is the perfect amount. You can measure this by putting shallow containers in your lawn and checking to see how much they’ve collected after you turn your sprinklers off.

4. Use Fertilizer

Just like any other type of plant, your lawn needs healthy soil to grow and thrive. Adding a high-quality fertilizer and compost pellets to your lawn will encourage the roots to grow deeper.

A well-fertilized lawn is also better able to resist disease, insect damage, and other stressors.

5. Thin the Thatch

Thatch is the layer of dead grass and grass roots that accumulate on the surface of the soil. While it’s not healthy to remove all of the thatch, if it gets more than half an inch thick, it can stunt grass growth by keeping water, nutrients, and air from getting into the deeper layers of the soil.

The best time to de-thatch your lawn is usually early fall. In most cases, raking vigorously with a steel-tipped rake will take care of the problem. If the thatch is very thick, you may need to rent a mechanical de-thatcher.

Beyond Improving Your Lawn: Find Even More Life Hacks!

Now that you know everything you need to know about improving your lawn, it’s time to find even more great life hacks. Browse the rest of our blog and check out some more of our life-changing tips.