Lawn care is not as hard as it is made to look on TV. The assumption is that most people who are looking to start mowing their lawns are DIY enthusiasts. Because your lawn is a living thing, you definitely have to approach it a little bit differently than you do other DIY tasks around your home. The following are tips to ensure that your lawn looks lush and neat throughout all seasons.

1. Mow More

The most important tip is to mow your lawn as many times as possible. The more you cut, the healthier your lawn becomes. Fresh, short-cut weeds look better than overgrown weeds, but you may not realize that there is good grass underneath the turf. The more you mow, the more it will encourage that turf grass to start taking over, making your grass thicker and encouraging denser roots. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to mow twice a week. No matter what your grass type is, no matter what shape your lawn is in, you will see tremendous results if you start cutting twice a week. This habit will also help you cover the one-third rule, which states that you should never remove one-third of the total grass blade length in a single mowing. If you are mowing twice a week, you will not be eliminating one-third of the grass.

2. Get the Right Equipment

Mowing at the proper height for your grass type is essential if you want to maintain continuity and regeneration. To mow at the right height, you need suitable mowers that can be calibrated to mow efficiently. It is recommended not to scrimp on the mower. Spend the majority of your budget on a good lawn mower for the cut quality and enjoyment. Because we are encouraging you to mow twice a week, that is a lot of cutting, so you'll want to have a mower that you enjoy using so you can truly learn to appreciate the mow. The more you enjoy the mow, the more you will be willing to do it, which is part of the process.

3. Preventing and Controlling Weeds

When it comes to throwing down lawn chemicals, many people become unsettled and a bit apprehensive. There are a couple of different ways to go about weed control, but the first thing you should be aware of is that everyone has weeds in their lawn. Having thistle on your property could help mitigate any weed problems. If you are a novice in lawn care, it is advisable to buy ready-to-use pesticides. Mixing chemicals on the first day could be daunting and hazardous, so buying ready-to-use pesticides could save you hassle and help you avoid potential accidents.

If you are planning on selling your home, some landscaping projects can increase its value. Since many of these landscaping ideas also increase curb appeal, your home may even sell faster. The exact percentage of increase depends on many different factors, including what comparable homes in your neighborhood are selling for. Thus, there is no way that anyone can tell you how these projects will raise its value, in exact dollar figures or percentage changes. However, you should consider completing these landscaping projects before putting the for-sale sign in front of your home. 

Plant Trees

Planting more trees will almost always raise the amount of money that you receive when selling your home. If you are thinking of selling in three to five years, plant smaller fast-growing trees, but if you plan to sell sooner than that, invest the money in larger trees, according to the experts at Realtor.com. Choose trees that grow well in your growing zone. According to the American Society of Landscape Architects, over 75% of consumers want to live in a home with an orchard, garden or another place to grow food. 

The opposite is also true. If you have trees that are not healthy or damaged, get them cut down before selling your home. They will detract from your home’s selling price, say the folks at Davey.com. 

Create an Outdoor Living Space

An outdoor living space does not have to be fancy to raise the value of your home. You can even lay down some pavers and make or buy a fire ring. Of course, you may want to get more elaborate and install an outdoor kitchen. 

Install Xeriscaping

Homeowners are anxious to have a low-cost environment to take care of, so install drought-tolerant native plants in your garden. Many beautiful perennials look great in flower beds. Look for grass options that require no irrigation in your growing zone. In fact, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects, about 72% of consumers are demanding less grass area to have to mess with regularly. You may also want to install a way to harvest rainwater or greywater on your home's property. 

Completing these three projects can help raise your home’s value when you are ready to sell it. The great news is that you can enjoy them while you still live in the home. You can then reap your money back when the house sells.