Grass maintenance basics

by Marianna E Perez 03/02/2025

To have a healthy, beautiful lawn, it’s essential to learn the basics of grass maintenance. Lawn mowing is only one aspect of keeping grass healthy, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right knowledge, you can find a lawn care routine that works for you and your home.

To help, here are some basic lawn care tips:

Test the soil

The more you know about your soil, the better prepared to care for your lawn you’ll be. Use a lawn test kit to find out essential information like pH and mineral content. It’s also helpful to take and maintain separate samples of problem spots, like bare patches or areas especially prone to weeds.

Choose the right grass

Choosing grass well-suited to your region will ensure a happy, healthy lawn and fewer issues for you to deal with. Know the differences between warm season grasses and cool season grasses, and take the layout of your yard into consideration as well.

For example, Kentucky bluegrass is ideal for shady gardens and cool climates, while Bermuda grass flourishes in hot, sunny climates.

Feed your lawn

A well-fed lawn is a healthy lawn. Providing your grass with regular doses of nutrient-rich, slow release fertilizer will ensure your lawn can resist weeds, pests and weather changes. Consider using organic matter from your compost pile for a low-cost alternative to synthetic fertilizers.

Water wisely

For a healthier lawn, water deeply but not too often. If you water too frequently in small amounts, your lawn will develop shallow roots and become more vulnerable to drought and pest damage. New grass seed needs plenty of water to flourish, but an established lawn only needs watering once a week during the growing season.

Whether you’re new to lawn care or just want to learn ways to improve your yard, these basic maintenance tips will help you achieve your goals.

About the Author
Author

Marianna E Perez

Marianna E. Perez is a Real Estate professional with over 20 years of experience. A lifelong resident of South Florida, she keeps her finger on the pulse of the latest trends and movements in the real estate market. She offers clients top-notch guidance from start to finish, ensuring the entire process is seamless, efficient and rewarding. Prior to entering real estate, Marianna was Senior Vice President of Commercial Real Estate Banking at City National Bank of Florida. She provided strategic leadership facilitating profitable and efficient origination of real estate loans. Marianna was a trusted advisor to clients and to the bank growing a real estate portfolio to over $300 million. She is firmly committed to the philosophy “not quantity, but quality,” which she practices in both her personal and professional life. Marianna is a graduate of FIU where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business management. She is a member of the Miami Association of Realtors, a lifetime board member of the BASF (Builders Association of South Florida), a member of CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women), and ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers). She is also involved with the Women’s Leadership Council (United Way TNC). In addition, Marianna has received these special industry accolades: Housing Hall of Fame inductee 2017 Builders Association of South Florida, Associate of the Year 2017 Builders Association of South Florida, Florida’s Best Awards Chair 2016 and 2004 Builders Association of South Florida, Vice President 2008 Builders Association of South Florida, President’s Award 2008 and 2003