The financially “blessed” are known to spend anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 annually on the professional maintenance of their property’s landscape. For them, it’s just a small price to pay for protecting their investment and making sure its value remains high despite volatile real estate conditions. But most home or property owners do not have loads of money for grass and plants although, surely, having an attractive lawn or garden is a common desire. Most can only commit to the usual gardening tools and perhaps a motorized lawn mower, but beyond these, they are not too willing to dish out more money and would just choose to rely on Mother Earth’s natural cultivation.
But when it comes to lawn care, a lot of do-it-yourself efforts can actually replicate the results of professional lawn care and maintenance measures. The key here is to know which methods are most effective and which wouldn’t cost so much. Online resources actually provide a bounty of tips — not only are they cost-efficient, but they are even good for the environment, too.
For frugal DIY lawn care, here are some lessons surely worth applying:
Natural fertilizers or lawn tonics can be just as effective as commercial ones, but they are loads cheaper. Natural fertilizers rich in nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium are actually easy and cheap to make, plus they are safe for the family and environment as well. A mixture of coffee grounds (four parts), bone meal (one part) and wood ashes (one part) can enhance the growth of grass and plants. Plus, the traditional trick of leaving grass clippings on the lawn after mowing can also help fertilize the soil and control weeds.
For frugal DIY lawn care, here are some lessons surely worth applying:
Natural fertilizers or lawn tonics can be just as effective as commercial ones, but they are loads cheaper. Natural fertilizers rich in nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium are actually easy and cheap to make, plus they are safe for the family and environment as well. A mixture of coffee grounds (four parts), bone meal (one part) and wood ashes (one part) can enhance the growth of grass and plants. Plus, the traditional trick of leaving grass clippings on the lawn after mowing can also help fertilize the soil and control weeds.
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Always water deeply instead of frequently. This is more beneficial for grass growth because it allows roots to grow deeper and reach for water, so even if the top soil looks slightly parched, grass remains green and healthy. Water bills can be cut in half with this method.
White vinegar is not just good for kitchen recipes, it’s a natural weed killer, too. This cheap but useful kitchen ingredient (a gallon is only $2, even cheaper at the Dollar Tree) is not just perfect for salads — it’s known to kill everything from crabgrass to dandelions, too.
Doing pest control by yourself can cost just under $40. Diatomaceous earth is a natural pesticide that kills different types of harmful insects, and a 50-pound bag is just around $30. Now, for snails and slugs that eat away at grass, beer (any brand and kind) placed in shallow dishes will attract them, and that’s where they will also meet their demise.
White vinegar is not just good for kitchen recipes, it’s a natural weed killer, too. This cheap but useful kitchen ingredient (a gallon is only $2, even cheaper at the Dollar Tree) is not just perfect for salads — it’s known to kill everything from crabgrass to dandelions, too.
Doing pest control by yourself can cost just under $40. Diatomaceous earth is a natural pesticide that kills different types of harmful insects, and a 50-pound bag is just around $30. Now, for snails and slugs that eat away at grass, beer (any brand and kind) placed in shallow dishes will attract them, and that’s where they will also meet their demise.
Author Profile: Kenneth Lawrence is a passionate “Handyman.” He is also a content creator who writes about home improvement, kitchen renovations and repairs, landscaping and gardening, DIY home projects and other related topics that can improve homes. To know more about lawn care tips and landscaping methods, he also visits www.archerservicesonline.com.
