The
thought of spending an entire weekend cleaning your yard can make you
want to move into a condo. Instead of tackling the project in one fell
swoop, invest small windows of time into specific tasks until you finish
the entire job. Once you decide how much time you can commit, use these
tips to make the most of each minute.
Got an Afternoon?
Aerate
the soil so that oxygen, water, nutrients, and sunlight can penetrate
into the areas that need them. Your lawn takes a beating from foot
traffic and weekly mowing, so it’s important to loosen up that compacted
top layer. Use a tiller or mower with an aerator attachment, or walk across the grass in spiked shoes.
Got an Hour?
Fertilize
the soil (after you’ve aerated it). This keeps your grass strong during
winter and resilient come spring. Fertilizer bags feature three numbers
to indicate the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (in
that order), says Bryan Clayton, chief executive officer of the
lawn-care company GreenPal.
Nitrogen helps grass grow, phosphorus strengthens the roots, and
potassium fights weeds. “In most cases, a homeowner can go with a
balanced fertilizer, such as 15-15-15, and be OK,” he says. But to
winterize your lawn, look for a fertilizer with greater amounts of
nitrogen and potassium (like 26-2-13) to prevent problems from
developing or continuing, Clayton says. Spread the fertilizer across the
grassy areas of your lawn two or three weeks before you expect the
first frost.
Got 15 Minutes?
Rake
the leaves. While they may be pretty, they can also suffocate and ruin
your grass. Spend a few minutes whenever you can instead of waiting
until all of them have fallen. This massive leaf hauler helps manage storage until you can bribe your kids to stuff the leaves into paper lawn bags.
Got 5 Minutes?
Water
the lawn—it might seem counterintuitive because snow is on the way.
However, it actually keeps the roots healthy throughout the season and
helps set the fertilizer’s magic into motion. Keep it up until the
ground begins to freeze.
