Hard to believe the first two months of 2019 are almost gone! Hopefully your New Year’s resolutions are still intact, but regardless of whether you’ve got a personal wellness plan, your home probably needs a wellness plan of its own! Whether you’re selling or staying in your home in 2019, it needs your attention to stay in shape.
Home Maintenance 101 from the Tina Barletta Team
Here at the Tina Barletta Team, our passion is homes, so we’re bringing you a fitness plan to enhance the physical look and condition of your home. Last time, we covered Power Washing, and now it’s time for Part 2 of Home Maintenance 101. Here we go… 3, 2, 1…
Put Your Lawn and Shrubs on a Feeding Schedule
The heart of any fitness program is the right nutrition. Your yard needs to eat properly, on a regular schedule. This will help limit weeds, promote healthy growth, and enhance your overall curb appeal. After all, nothing makes a home look welcoming like a velvety green lawn!
Lawns Need More Water Than You Think
Did you know that most lawns needs about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week to maintain that lush green we all love? This is especially important to remember during the hot summer months, where there might not be as much rain and the sun evaporates moisture more quickly.
But Overwatering is Bad, Too
When setting out your sprinkler, be sure to set a timer. The last thing you want is to drown your lawn. And unless you’re experiencing particularly hot, dry weather, you probably won’t need to water again for a couple of days. Deeper, less frequent irrigation encourages grass to grow deep roots.
Pay Attention to Your Soil
Certain types of soil hold water better than others. For example, soils with high clay content absorb water more slowly, requiring short bursts of watering. Soils with more sand, however, will absorb water quickly but won’t retain it, meaning you’ll need to water more frequently.
Find the Best Type of Irrigation
You’ve got several options for watering. You can use a regular hose-end sprinkler, a rotating nozzle sprinkler, an in-ground sprinkler, or even opt for an automated irrigation system. In-ground sprinklers and irrigation systems need to be placed around your yard in such a way that they cover the entire yard without overlapping. And with portable sprinklers, you’ll need to ensure you’re manually rotating the sprinkler just out of range of its last water.
Use Caution with Shady Areas
Grass requires sunlight to grow, so overwatering shady areas often just means ending up with a muddy mess. Grass growing in the shade of a tree, however, is competing for moisture with the tree’s roots, and may need to be watered more frequently.
Got Sod? Prepare to Water!
Newly seeded lawns need a lot more maintenance and care than established lawns. Usually, you’ll want to water daily for that first week, then taper off a bit to encourage those deep roots. For seeded (vs. sod) lawns, you might even want to water twice a day.
More Home Maintenance Tips Coming Soon!
Stay tuned for Tip #3 on Home Maintenance 101!
And as always, if you’re thinking of selling your home in Johnston County, NC, you know who to call… the Tina Barletta Team!