Lawn Care for the Urbanite

So you’ve decided to buy that big house out in the suburbs. The house is a dream and you’re excited. The problem you hadn’t anticipated is that this brand-new house comes with a big yard and you have no idea how to care for it. Maybe the builder included a landscaping package and you have grass, trees, and shrubs to start with but no idea how to maintain them. Or there may be no landscaping package and all you’ve got to work with is a pile of dirt. What you do next will depend on which situation you are in.

Landscaping Package—If your property comes with a landscaping package, then you’re off to a good start and if you’re only responsible for the backyard, even better. Many new communities include maintenance of the front yard as part of the homeowner’s association. But if you’ve never used a lawn mower in your life, you may be a bit overwhelmed. The first decision you need to make is (a) are you willing to purchase a lawn mower and do the work yourself or (b) would you prefer hiring a lawn service to do the maintenance for you?

You may enjoy getting outside and may think that mowing the lawn is something you’d be willing to do. But note that mowing the lawn isn’t the only part of lawn maintenance. You need to think about controlling the weeds, adding fertilizer, and edging where the grass meets the sidewalk or driveway. And if you live in a hot, wet climate like Florida, you have to do these chores twice a week during the six-month summer season. Note that you will need to cover yourself even during the heat because of the bugs and mosquitoes that live in the grass.

No Landscaping Package—If you have a blank slate, then you get to choose how to landscape your backyard. You may purchase a landscaping package from a local landscaper and this can include sod, plants, trees, and flowering bushes. If you don’t like the idea of lawn maintenance, but want the look of grass, synthetic grasses have improved quite a bit and you can find one that looks real. Or you may decide to forego the grass for a combination of patio, desert rocks, and a few trees and shrubs for low maintenance—especially if you live in desert areas, which will also give you a break on your water bill.

So unless you have a burning desire to get your hands dirty and do-it-yourself, you may want to leave this to the professionals, and focus on what it is that you do best.