9 Ways to Save Money Caring for Your Lawn - Wet Grass

Tips For a Better Lawn on the Cheap

  • Maintain a compost bin.
  • Use a mulching lawnmower.
  • Plant shade trees.
  • Plant perennials.
  • Don’t water your lawn.
  • Only cut your grass when you’re confident rain is coming in the near future.
  • If you have to water your lawn due to homeowners agreements or the like, water only when there are signs of drought stress.
  • Set your mower blade to the highest setting.
  • If you have weeds, start by figuring out your soil pH.

Water and your Lawn

The Simple Dollar says he only cuts his grass when there is a 60% chance of rain in the next 48 hours.

This is really great advice, and I’m going to start following this myself.

Cut Your Grass High

I’ve always done this, but I never really knew why.

The Simple Dollar explains that cutting grass high shades the soil below which keeps the moisture locked in.

Soil pH

This I simply had never heard of.

The Simple Dollar suggests you call your local extension offices, as many will test your soil pH for free.

Grass typically grows best with a pH of around 6.5. If you see a lot of dandelions, that means your soil pH is a bit high – usually around 7.5. If your pH is higher than 6.5, you should dust your soil with gardener’s sulfur. If it’s below 6.5, you should dust it with lime.

Original Article: http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2013/06/28/nine-ways-to-save-money-on-caring-for-your-lawn/