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Springtime in Florida brings more sunshine and warmer temperatures. Lawns are also coming back to life. For many residents, the arrival of spring also means adding a new activity to their home maintenance checklist: yard work.

Mowing and watering the lawn are key steps to having a beautiful home. At the same time, lawn care can take up a significant portion of people’s budgets. From water bills to equipment costs, these tasks can add up.

If you’re looking for ways to save money on lawn care, you aren’t alone. One popular, tried-and-true way to keep costs manageable is to take many of the crucial steps yourself.

Let’s go over four ways you can maintain a beautiful lawn without drying up your budget.

Water Lawns Less for Better Results

This first step might sound counterintuitive. However, watering your lawn less frequently can help in the long run.

One of the most expensive aspects of lawn care is watering. First, it increases your water usage, therefore affecting your bill. Also, irrigation systems with their own wells still require power to run, which affects electricity use.

According to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), overwatering can damage lawns. That’s because watering too frequently discourages grass from growing long roots, making them more susceptible to stress.

Your grass needs to adapt to its environment by growing long roots. You can do this in several ways:

• Water your lawn once or twice a week during warmer seasons
• Water only enough, around three-quarters of an inch of water per session
• Irrigate around sunrise so moisture can evaporate through the day
  

Also, keep an eye on the forecast! A rainy morning or afternoon means you don’t have to let the sprinklers run for at least a day or two. Check the weather forecasts and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

You can read about best management practices for your lawn, from watering to mowing, by checking out the UF/IFAS’s guide.

Use Lawn Care Equipment Effectively

A well-mowed lawn is essential to encouraging healthy grass. At the same time, the success of your yard depends on the quality of your equipment and technique.

Your lawnmower is the most important tool for this task. By using and maintaining it properly, you’ll go a long way towards improving the look and health of your lawn.

In Florida’s heat, your grass will need to keep the soil shaded to avoid it from drying out. Set your mower blades high enough so that they aren’t cutting more than one-third of a leaf blade. Anything shorter causes “scalping,” which leaves your turf vulnerable to disease and drought.

Additionally, use your mower’s mulching feature so that grass clippings stay in your yard. Grass clippings return nutrients to the soil. This, in turn, will help you save time and money on fertilizer treatments.

Finally, make sure your mower is well-maintained. Sharpen the mower blade regularly so it cuts cleanly. A dull blade will damage grass and discourage healthy growth.

The Home Depot has a great write-up on lawnmower care and maintenance. Check out their guide here to learn how to keep your mower in good shape throughout the year.

Manage Pest Problems To Prevent Costly Interventions

Florida’s warm, humid climate creates an ideal environment for lawn pests and fungi. If an infestation stakes a claim to your yard, you may be on the hook for costly pest control services. The costs only add up if you need to hire a professional.

Healthy lawns are naturally resistant to pests and weeds. The important thing is to practice good lawn care habits (such as those discussed above) and resolve pest issues before they can spread.

There are various ways to discourage pests from taking over your lawn. Start with these tips:

• Avoid overwatering, which encourages fungus and insects
• Practice good mowing techniques to reduce stress on the grass
• Remove thatch, a place where pests can hide
  

Also, keep an eye out for early warning signs of a pest problem whenever you water or mow. Spot check and treat these problem areas immediately so they don’t have a chance to spread. Common signs of pests in Florida lawns may include:

• Bare spots in the lawn
• Yellow or brown grass patches
• Tunnels in the soil
  

Spot treatments go a long way towards keeping lawn care costs manageable. Allowing infestation to spread will only delay the inevitable and could result in a lawn restoration project.

Get a Beautiful Lawn on a Budget

Maintaining a lawn is part of owning a home. However, the time and effort are well worth it. By adopting good lawn care practices, you can uphold your home’s value and enhance its appeal.

When you start with these tips, you can build your skills and make these practices second nature. Refining your technique helps to keep lawn care costs low, returning those savings to you. The money you end up saving leaves room in your budget for the things that matter most.

First Florida is your partner in attaining the home you have always wanted. For more money-saving tips for your daily life, check out our Featured Articles section.