A healthy lawn is more than just a way to spruce up your outdoor space. A well-kept lawn can improve your home’s value, prevent soil erosion, and improve air quality. Unkempt lawns often have poor grass growth, increased water usage, and an unpleasant environment that attracts pests. As such, it is important to consistently maintain the health of your yard. If you’re daunted by this challenge, here are five hacks that make yard work easy:

1. Water early

Watering your lawn early can prevent the roots from drying up, causing the plant’s death. Watering in the morning is recommended for a healthy lawn because the grass is more active and absorbs the water it needs early in the day. The rest of the water will evaporate as the day grows hotter, helping the grass blade dry and avoid diseases. A healthy lawn also will not require as much watering overall. You can water using a hose, a sprinkler, or a drip irrigation system. You can also use gutter guards to protect your garden by preventing lawn clippings from entering your gutters.

2. Aerate your lawn

Aerating your lawn can help promote growth by stimulating and improving airflow to the roots. This process helps keep weeds in check and helps the grass establish a deeper roots system, making your lawn more drought resistant. Aerating your lawn is particularly beneficial in early spring and fall, as it allows the most time for the roots to establish themselves. You can rent a core aerator from a local hardware store. Follow the directions and make sure the blades go through all of the grass without bulldozing dirt into it.

3. Fertilize and mulch frequently

Fertilizing your lawn is necessary to keep the grass growing, but you should be careful not to over-fertilize. Mulch, on the other hand, can help reduce weed growth and moisten the soil. Keeping your lawn mulched can prevent moisture from evaporating from the soil, which reduces compaction and improves airflow. A three-to-four-inch layer of mulch on your garden can help keep the top 12 inches of soil moist and healthy.

4.  Mow high and regularly

Mowing is one of the most important aspects of yard work, and you can do it yourself to save money if you have a lawn mower. Mowing high allows for better control over the height of your grass and prevents weeds from taking over. Mowing at a higher height can also help the grass to grow more vigorously and with good density.

5.  Consider hiring professional lawn care services

Hiring a lawn service to set up or maintain your lawn can be a particularly beneficial yard hack, especially if you don’t have the time, know-how, or desire to do it yourself. The benefits of hiring professional lawn services can include:

• Saving time.
• Reducing labor and effort.
• Providing high-quality services.
• Avoiding accidental damage.