Yard coach shares lawn tips to work smarter, not harder – don’t be a ‘weekend warrior’ & bite off more than you can chew
A LANDSCAPING expert has shared his efficient tricks for a lush lawn without going overboard.
He encouraged gardeners to “work smarter, not harder.”
Matt Foster (@yardcoach), a gardening YouTuber and blogger, shared his pro tips and tricks with The U.S. Sun.
The experienced landscaper advised beginners to invest in quality soil and put time into laying it down.
“You cannot just throw seed out and expect a long-term positive result,” Foster said.
“Clearing the site of weeds, tilling the soil, amending the soil with organic matter, and adding a starter fertilizer is a good start.
“The site should be lightly compacted after tilling, graded smooth, then either seeded or a commercial sod rolled out.
“If seeded, an inch top dressing should cover the seed and kept moist until germination and establishment [are] achieved, probably about 30-45 days, depending on the weather.”
Foster added that some maintenance will be required as well.
“Seed lawns will need occasional hand weeding as the lawn matures,” he said.
To keep bald spots at bay, Foster explained that its root cause needs to be identified first.
“Often times it can be attributed to disease, infestation or short mowing height and hot weather, or pet urine,” he said.
“Determine the root cause first, then take appropriate action. Know what turf species you have, keep the turf at a healthy height during the growing season, water as needed, and at the right time of day (not mid-day), better at sunrise.”
The coach recommends that novices do thorough research, including seeking professional consultations, before embarking on large projects.
The mistake, he said, is a common problem he sees in the field.
“[There’s] a lack of learning first before acting,” he said.
Easy gardening tips to save money, maximize space, and repel pests
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- Banana peels, vinegar, and coffee grounds are often recommended as natural fertilizers.
- Dollar Tree sells four packs of seeds for $1.25.
- Try a vertical planter like Amazon’s Mr. Stacky 5 Tier Stackable Planter, $35 to make more use of a small space.
- Use netting like the Garden Netting Pest Barrier, $8, from Amazon to keep away bugs that eat your vegetables.
- Try sacrificial planting to reduce the use of pesticides and keep pests away from your garden. Deliberately growing certain plants to attract agricultural pests can keep them away from the plants you want to protect. Examples include marigolds, lavender, catnip, and chives.
- For pesky weeds in your garden, the Grampa’s Weeder – The Original Stand-Up Weed Puller Tool with Long Handles, $45, from Amazon is a helpful tool you can use without having to bend over.
“Many ‘weekend warriors’ will get a sudden urge and leap into a project only to have it take longer than expected, cost more than expected, or find their skill set is not up to the task itself.
“Learn a little first through different platforms, read or consult with local nursery professionals.
“Once you are mentally confident about what you need to do, you have the tools to do it, the help you may need, then stake a reasonable time frame, then go for it.”
Help, be it the privilege of community or even from mechanical tools, can be a godsend.
“Work smarter, not harder. If there is a machine you can use to alleviate strain and toil, find it and use it,” the coach said.
“If there are friends that would be willing to help, feed them and get them there.
“Many hands and machinery make lighter work. Know what you are doing before you start, rather than embarking haphazardly and getting in over your head.”