Most homeowners want to have a great looking lawn. It may be because they want to be the envy of their neighbors or because they have to follow specific rules in their community. Whatever the reason may be, having a beautiful lawn takes time, effort and a lot of planning. It also requires a lot of consistency in your efforts. Below are some doable tips that will have your lawn looking its best.

1. Have Soil Tested

The first step in a beautiful, lush lawn is getting your soil tested. Your lawn's soil needs to have the proper nutrients for grass growth. The results of your testing will allow you to choose the right fertilizer and help you avoid polluting your water or soil and wasting your money.

2. Get Aeration Services

Aeration is a crucial step for improving the overall appearance and health of your lawn. The process helps to take care of soil compaction and thatch buildup can cause your soil to become waterlogged. When this happens, your grass will struggle to get the nutrients and air it needs to keep from growing shallow root systems. Find a reputable Lawn Aeration and Care Service for help.

3. Use Compost

Compost is a great product to use on your lawn because it will help improve the texture, aeration and structure of your soil. It can increase your lawn's ability to hold enough water for proper growth. No more than 1/2 inch of compost should be added to your lawn.

4. Treat Bare Spots

When it comes to your lawn, bald is never beautiful. When bare areas are left untreated, the spots can continue to grow. It can be easy to repair bald spots in your yard by planting seeds at the first sign of grass loss. Be sure there is enough seed-to-soil contact to ensure the seeds are germinated properly. Covering the seeded area with straw will help keep hungry birds and rodents from undoing your work.

5. Water Properly

Everyone knows the importance of watering their lawns. It is just as important to remember that grass can be overwatered. Even though grass is a very resilient plant, moderation is the key to a healthy lawn. The amount of water your lawn needs is based on a variety of factors including grass type, time of year and the amount of sun exposure. Consider watering your lawn in the morning to allow the water to drip down during the day. If you water at night, the water droplets may sit on the blades of grass and cause fungus to grow and bring insects.

6. Mow Your Lawn

Not many homeowners look forward to the chore of mowing their lawns. Because of this, many get tempted in cutting their lawn's grass extra short. While it may save time between mows, it can also be unhealthy for your grass. It can cause the grass to get damaged and allow weeds to root. It will also need to be watered more to keep it healthy. Consider having your mower mulch your grass clippings instead of bagging them. The grass mulch will be decomposed in the soil and add back the necessary nutrients.

7. Treat Weeds Early

Treating weeds early in their life cycle is important for successfully removing them. To make removing weeds easier, pull them after watering your lawn or after it has rained. The soggy ground will make removal easier and you will have a better chance of getting the whole root system out.

Once you have your soil and grass in proper shape, it is essential to follow a good maintenance plan. This means taking the time to control weeds and fertilize regularly. If you want help keeping a healthy lawn, consider hiring a professional landscaping company to take care of the hard work for you. They have the necessary knowledge, tools and experience to have your yard looking its best.