As spring starts to blossom, homeowners across Michigan are gearing up to enjoy their yards once more following an extended winter season. And what better way to enjoy the warming weather than with National Lawn Care Month? It’s an annual event highlighting the importance of lawn care, gardening, and landscaping practices.

The aim is to encourage everyone to maintain a healthy and beautiful outdoor environment. While some may see lawn care as a chore or an unnecessary expense, there are many reasons why lawns contribute to the well-being of neighborhoods and why it's worth giving them a helping hand. Read more on the importance of lawn maintenance and how it can help you and your community during and after National Lawn Care Month:

Curb Appeal and Property Value

First impressions matter, and your lawn is often the first thing visitors see when they arrive at your home. A well-maintained lawn can improve your home’s overall appearance and curb appeal, making it more inviting and attractive. Additionally, a healthy and vibrant lawn will only help to increase your property value and make it more appealing.

Environmental Benefits

Lawns and vegetation play an important role in absorbing carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen into the air, and reducing erosion. They also filter water, protect nearby bodies of water, and help improve air quality, making your neighborhood more pleasant.

Health Benefits

Maintaining a lawn and spending time outdoors bring health benefits, while regular mowing and gardening activities provide exercise, which can improve overall fitness levels and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety while improving overall mental health and well-being.

Cost Savings

While it might sound counterintuitive, a well-maintained lawn is less likely to develop pest infestations, disease, or weed problems, cutting down on costly treatments over long term. Healthy grass also helps reduce soil erosion and runoff, saving you money on landscaping and irrigation costs.

If you do find yourself wanting to get involved in National Lawn Care Month, here are some of the ways you can help your lawn during April and for the rest of the year.

Helping Your Lawn In April

We highlighted why National Lawn Care Month is the perfect time to start your lawn care regime. And for those looking for some tips on how to get started, we’ve provided a list of activities that can help keep your yard healthy throughout the rest of the year: 

Soil Test: Understanding your soil's pH, nutrient levels, and texture can help you identify what your lawn needs to grow and thrive. If you have a healthy lawn, test every three or four years. But if you have any problem spots, even if the rest of your lawn does quite well, you should test your soil every year.

Mowing Routine: Cutting your grass at the right height and frequency can help promote healthy growth and prevent weed growth. Grass should be kept between 2.5 and 3.5 inches long, which helps keep weed seeds in the shade and cools the soil underneath.

Water Tracking: Lawns need about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, depending on the climate and soil type. Track how often you do this each week so you don't overwater your lawn. 

Weed & Pest Control: Inspect your lawn for pests and weeds regularly, and take action as needed to prevent them from taking over your lawn. Always research an issue so that the proper measure can be taken and no unnecessary harm or stress occurs to your plants or foliage.

Lawn Diversity: Consider adding native flowers or shrubs to your lawn to provide food and habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. This can also add visual interest and also helps the local ecosystem to thrive and stay strong.

Lush Lawn Can Help

You can use National Lawn Care Month as an opportunity to connect with other gardeners in your community, join a local gardening club or attend a workshop to learn more about sustainable lawn care practices. Lush Lawn is also happy to help anyone starting their gardening journey this year, and you can contact us today to learn more about our services.