Landscaping your lawn can add an enormous amount of value and style to your home. Too many people allow their lawns to become ragged, tired and unkempt, simply because they believe that it's too difficult to tend to the yard's appearance, but landscaping your lawn is actually quite simple. The process only becomes difficult when you are not informed about what is best for your yard's well-being; this leaves you both confused about the actions you must take, and vulnerable to the tricks and ploys of dishonest landscaping companies. As long as you understand the basics of landscaping your lawn, the process will be remarkably easy and rewarding. The following guidelines will help homeowners make the best choices when redesigning their lawns.
No type of grass is perfect for every home. When landscaping your lawn, it's important to choose a breed of grass that is suitable for your area. Climate, elevation and amount of sunlight will have a profound effect on the type of grass that will be easiest to care for. Generally, in the Midwest, Kentucky bluegrass is considered ideal for the typical temperatures found there. In the Northeast, durable breeds of grass that can stand up to harsh winters are ideal, such as hard fescue or poa supina. In the South and Southwest, drought-resistant grasses such as Bermuda and Zoysia will fare well.
Many landscaping companies charge a premium for lawn preparation services. However, you can easily ready your lawn for reseeding all on your own. First, purchase a simple soil testing kit from your local home improvement store. These kits allow you to check the pH levels of the soil, the types and amounts of different nutrients present and the presence of any harmful chemicals or toxins. After ensuring that your soil is in ideal condition, use a machine-powered tiller or a shovel to loosen about six inches of soil throughout the entire yard.