Lawns are a big part of the American landscape. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average lawn in the U.S. is about 1/3 of an acre. That’s a lot of grass! There’s no doubt that having a well-maintained yard can increase your home’s curb appeal and even raise property values. But with all the work involved in keeping your lawn looking its best, you may wonder if it’s worth it to bother at all. The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to make it easier on yourself when it comes to lawn maintenance. Here are five tips that will leave your grass looking green and lush all summer long:

Preparing Your Lawn Post Winter

If your lawn has gone dormant over winter, it’s important to assess the damage done by snow shoveling. If you’ve left your grass clippings on top of the snow, they may have been buried by snow melt and could have suffocated your grass underneath. If this is the case, remove them as soon as possible so your grass can breathe again.

Spring Lawn Maintenance

After winter begins to thaw, you’ll want to start spring lawn maintenance with a few light fertilization treatments. Once spring arrives in full swing, you can begin aerating and thatching if needed. You should also begin preparing for seeding or sodding if necessary.

Thatching & Aeration

Thatch is a layer of dead plant matter that builds up between the soil surface and grass roots. Thatch needs to be removed because it blocks water from reaching the roots effectively, causing them to become dehydrated over time. Aeration helps break up thatch so water can reach deep into the soil

Sit Back Enjoy & Maintain

Your hardwork is all complete and now comes the reward. Doing the work upfront will allow you to take a step back and your lawn to flourish green and healthy for the rest of the year.