Guest Post - 5 Tips for Improving Lawn and Reducing Maintenance

A good lawn improves the appearance of a house, enhances its beauty and adds monetary value to the property. It is the first thing that your friends, relatives or neighbors notice when they come to meet you. Keeping the lawn attractive and reducing its overall maintenance costs is important to most homeowners who have a lawn. It is not very difficult to maintain a lawn. But, one has to follow the necessary lawn care tips. 

By following these 5 simple lawn care tips, it is possible to have the lawn of your dreams and keep it healthy.

Mow the lawn-

You don’t have to mow the lawn daily! A good looking lawn requires mowing once in two weeks. People often give the lawn a close trim each week. But, they should let the grass grow a little. It will help the lawn to shade out weeds and develop a stronger root system. It is always advised to mow only when the grass is dry because mowing wet grass can spread fungus and damage the mower blades.

Feed your grasses well-

What if we don’t get proper nutrition! Our health will be affected. Similarly, lawn grasses need proper nutrition to maintain their health. Nitrogen is an essential mineral that can keep your lawn green and vibrant. In addition to nitrogen, your lawn needs phosphorus and potassium. Test your soil regularly to know what nutrients your lawn needs! But, be careful! Do not feed too much! It can cause more harm to your lawn than good. Plan a feeding schedule to meet your lawn's need for fertilizer and stick to it!

Prevent weeds in the lawn-

Bare spots and patchy areas can spoil the beauty of a lawn. Whenever you notice a bare area, don’t leave it open to weed invasion. Instead, reseed that area! You can turn the patchy area into a flower bed by reseeding. If your lawn has shady areas, you can use shade loving grasses. You can also remove the lower branches of trees that were causing that shade.

Edge the lawn-

What can be done to give the finishing touch to a neat and clipped lawn? It’s edging! Always use a pair of long handles shears while defining the edge of your lawn. An attractive edging can be constructed with paving stones and bricks. It can reduce the need for hand trimming. You can even use readily available attractive alternatives such as steel or plastic edging to give a satisfying finish to your garden.

Water the lawn wisely-

There is an old proverb- Excess of anything is harmful! It is always advised to do anything in moderation. Do not overwater your lawn. Why? Because overwatering has many disadvantages. It will drown the roots of plants. Shallowly roots get easily stressed. Your lawn will have more weeds. You are just wasting your time and contributing to Groundwater pollution!

So, water your lawn wisely. You can use a sprinkler to keep your lawn hydrated. You can use rainwater or bath water wherever possible.

So, we have described five crucial lawn care tips. Now it’s your turn to follow them and have the best lawn in your neighborhood. 

There are many field service owners who use field service management software to offer best lawn care services to their customers. If you are living a busy lifestyle and don’t have enough time to maintain a healthy lawn then you can also look for lawn care services.

Author bio

Code is the central element that governs Joy Gomez’s universe; how he thinks, and how he lives. He is a self-taught, process-driven programmer and a first-generation immigrant from Southern India. He has completed engineering school while working full time with generous support and scholarships from employers due to his high productivity and drive. He is and has a Black belt in Lean Six Sigma. He has created Field Promax to pursue his natural-born expertise – code, streamline processes, and code more.

What It Means if Your Air Conditioning Is Cycling Too Often

Even though modern HVAC systems are designed to be as efficient as possible, issues can still take place at any point throughout the year. If your AC is cycling too often, then it might be time for you to take a closer look at what is causing that common problem.

Clogged Air Filter

As a homeowner, regularly changing the HVAC air filter is one of your most important maintenance tasks. When the filter is clogged, it is going to put quite a bit of strain on your HVAC system and potentially reduce its lifespan. A clogged filter could also result in your AC system cycling on and off because it can’t keep your home at a consistent temperature. As a general rule, residential air filters should be replaced once every month or two.

Oversized Air Conditioner

Getting an oversized AC system might seem like a good idea, but that could actually result in bigger problems down the road. An oversized AC will cool a home too quickly, and that means it is going to cycle off and on more often. If you think that your AC is oversized or undersized, then you should contact an air conditioning contractor to have the entire system inspected.

Refrigerant Leak

Your AC’s refrigerant should be in a closed and compressed system, and that is why it is so important to take care of leaks right away. In addition to overheating the compressor, a leak could also allow toxic chemicals to escape. Luckily, most refrigerant leaks can easily be patched in a matter of hours, and you should see the benefits of that fix almost immediately.

Thermostat in a Bad Location

Your home’s thermostat is a simple device that tells the HVAC system whether it should be off or on. If the thermostat detects a high temperature, then it will send a command to the AC unit to blow cool air into the home. Unfortunately, some thermostats are placed in bad locations, and that means they won’t be able to accurately read the temperatures. As a general rule, a thermostat should be placed in a central location in the home that is away from windows, vents, and appliances.

While you might be able to take care of some of these issues on your own, you should always leave major repairs to the professionals. Attempting to work on your HVAC system on your own could result in expensive problems that bring your life to a grinding halt.

Guest Post - Top Landscaping Tips for This Spring

Everyone dreams of having a lush, green and weedless lawn. That makes your warm-weather backyard activities so much more enjoyable. Testing your soil, fertilizing, installing smart sprinklers and adding fresh mulch to your landscape can promote optimal lawn growth and make the outdoors your favorite place to be.

Test Your Soil

Your yard requires regular checkups. Soil tests offer an accurate assessment of your lawn's health, and the results show you which fertilizers to add and avoid. They also tell you nutrient differentiations in certain regions of your yard.

Homeowners can test their soil every three or four years to evaluate its pH, phosphorus, zinc and potassium levels, as well as organic materials. 

Many residential yards contain excess soluble salts, indicating root disease. They may also experience iron or manganese toxicity, causing brown spots on leaves and grass blades. Iron deficiency can appear in white splotches. Knowing you have these problems makes them easier to address.

Fertilize Your Lawn

Once you identify problems with your soil, you can add specific fertilizers for nutrient support. Fertilizing is an essential lawn maintenance practice that influences recovery and weed prevention.

Nitrogen is the top nutrient needed in lawns with poor soil health. Fertilizers containing this element may feature fast-release or controlled-release nitrogen. Fast-release solutions quickly improve the color of your landscape, provide nutrients to cold soil and are cost-effective. Controlled-release fertilizers don't burn grass or dissipate through the ground or air. Adding nitrogen solutions to your lawn can enhance color and prevent weed growth.

Install Smart Sprinklers

Homeowners waste 30%-60% of freshwater on mismanaged lawn watering, mainly due to poor timing and improper application. Smart sprinklers calculate the weather and daylight to help with efficient watering.

These irrigation systems replace traditional controls, contain sensors and include internet connection to maximize lawn growth and conserve water. Smart sprinklers adequately water your lawn and garden to promote plant growth, creating an aesthetically appealing landscape.

Build A Wood Fence

You can increase your privacy and home security by installing a wood fence in your yard. In close residential quarters, fences may create a sense of solitude and comfort. They also add to the aesthetic and curb appeal of your property. 

Wood fences project a natural decor that flawlessly compliments your home’s landscape. The traditional material holds up throughout the years and adds a sustainable flare to your property.  

Add Fresh Mulch

Adding mulch to your landscape can effectively protect your gardens. It also increases the visible contrast between flower beds and your other lawn features. Mulch provides various benefits to the health of your yard, such as:

• Weed prevention

• Protection against soil erosion

• Soil temperature maintenance

• Moisture conservation

Spring Into Summer

Prepare for any summer gathering by making your yard lush and green. Engaging in the top landscaping techniques can help you maintain a beautiful lawn and enjoy the outdoors to the fullest.

Author bio: Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she offers advice on home renovation, maintenance, and organization.

Strategic Tips for Moving Into a Bigger Home

Upsizing? It’s an exciting time with a lot of responsibility. You’re ready to spread out and have found a space for you and your family. But it can be an overwhelming process if you don’t have a plan. Use these strategic tips for moving into a bigger home so everything goes smoothly.

Live With It First

You’re probably settling in for a while. Sit with it. For once, you can muse about where you want to put your things—not just wedge it all in however it fits. If you’re coming from a home that was considerably smaller, you’ll be discovering a lot about the new place. You could come across a closet you forgot was there, or want to scout different nooks for quiet meditation. Be open to ideas about how to use the rooms. Think about how to create a welcoming aesthetic. It’s a blank slate; don’t be too anxious to scribble all over it.

Understand Maintenance

Does a bigger home mean bigger problems? It doesn’t have to if you know what you’re getting into. But when there’s more square footage, it’ll take longer to clean, so decide on a schedule—or hire some help. A larger lawn also requires more commitment, and you might not be able to handle it yourself. Survey the appliances, flooring, HVAC system, and anything that needs repair or replacement. You can’t do it all at once, but you can set goals. You can also set date reminders so you don’t get thrown off on maintenance.

Shop One Step at a Time

This is one of our most strategic tips for moving into a bigger home: take a deep breath and appreciate the space. It’ll fill up soon enough. You’re probably excited to go out and buy new furniture, but it’ll be more satisfying if you let it evolve organically. Besides, you just signed up for a serious investment. You’re still not used to your new expenses—and there may be more than you realize. So if you must shop, do it right. Start with the rooms you’ll use the most and look for one piece at a time. You don’t often get the chance to create your own surroundings from scratch, so enjoy the process. Embrace the emptiness. You and your home can grow together.