Once summer is in full swing, you’ll not only know it by the smell of barbecue in the air and the heat of the day but by the pristine lawns that have a lush, green appearance that we all love. But you won’t be able to have a green lawn if you don’t take the steps to make it happen.

Many homeowners will say that caring for a lawn is a labor of love. But then again, so is any project that’s worthwhile. The truth of the matter is that without careful attention, your lawn will begin to look lackluster and may even become difficult to maintain over time. Thankfully, there are simple steps you can take to ensure that your lawn looks great year-round.

Aside from cutting the grass and general upkeep around your lawn, there are many subtle factors that you’ll need to take into consideration if you hope to create that curb appeal that all homeowners are ultimately after.

In the following, we’ll explore 3 key tips for keeping your lawn looking great all year.

Lawn Aeration

It’s nice to look at a lush, green expanse of property. But the overall health of your lawn actually begins underground. And your soil profile is the foundation of a healthy lawn. But if your soil becomes compromised, you could begin to lose lawn growth and begin seeing bare or brown spots around your property.

Lawn aeration is a technique that keeps your soil healthy along with your lawn. You might think of this as the first step in solving a problem. Because if you have healthy soil, you’ll likely have a healthy lawn as well. But the trick is to ensure that your lawn is aerated at least twice per year, usually in the spring and the fall.

Lawn aeration is the act of creating holes in the soil to enable the grass to grow, loosen the soil if it becomes compacted, and allow for proper drainage. But don’t be fooled. Lawn aeration is a labor-intensive process. And it’s often recommended that you hire a professional aeration service to aerate your lawn annually.

Grass Height

Grass can get fairly high in certain locations. But rather than wading through a sea of green grass where you’re not certain what evils may be lurking, it’s best to keep your grass trimmed to an optimum height. But what is the best height?

Depending on the grass you have, you may allow your grass to grow a few inches. But once it begins to rise over 3 inches (for most grasses) this is usually when it’s time to cut. However, many homeowners prefer to keep their grass cut short so that they can mow less.

The problem with cutting grass too short is that it may not be able to support surface wear, and you can actually trim your grass to the point of killing it off in certain spots, and the last thing you want are those dreaded brown patches all over your lawn. This is why understanding the height settings on your lawnmower is important to maintaining a healthy lawn over time.

As a rule of thumb, when the grass begins growing again in the spring, don’t cut it too short at first. Allow your grass the time to grow and absorb moisture. Then as the heat kicks up in the summertime you can go a bit shorter with periodic watering.

Seeding & Watering

During the spring, you’ll begin to notice your lawn coming back to life. But believe it or not, there may be areas of your grass that are still in a state of dormancy. And some areas may have died off completely. This is where a little TLC comes in handy.

The best time to seed and water your lawn is in the spring. This is the time when you can take care of those bare spots and heal any brown or yellow patches that may be present on your property.

The process is simple. Typically after the last frost or cold snap, you should go ahead and seed your lawn and begin the growing process. And be sure to water periodically as well. This will ensure that your bare spots have the time to grow before the summer heat sets in.

A great lawn is what helps to create curb appeal. And if you ever find yourself in the position to sell your home, having a nice and healthy lawn is a great selling point for any interested buyer.