Your lawn may seem like a mystery, but it doesn’t have to be. By taking the time to research some of the best lawn maintenance practices for your area, you can make informed lawn maintenance decisions that will have stunning results. Setting a lawn care schedule and gathering as much information about your area’s conditions can make a huge difference in the health of your lawn. For a yard that truly showcases your home, take the following lawn care tips:

Set a schedule

There are a lot of regular lawn care practices that should be a part of your maintenance schedule. Mowing, watering, aeration, and fertilization all have their place on the maintenance schedules of homeowners all over the United States. As with most lawn care tips, when you add these to your calendar is highly dependent upon your location and the particular type(s) of grass you have in your lawn.

Gather regional lawncare information

Some areas experience long periods of drought, while others have rainy seasons that barely give your lawn time to dry out. It’s very important that you understand your lawn’s location-specific needs when figuring out a lawn maintenance schedule.

Lawn care experts can be very helpful when determining regional specifics about your yard. Contacting a representative from a lawn care company is the best way to learn about your lawn.

Some questions you may want to consider asking include:

• What type of soil is most common in your area? The type of soil that’s present in your lawn can make a big difference. There are dozens of soil types found throughout the U.S., some of which are more susceptible to certain diseases and seasonal struggles. Knowing the type of soil as well as the pH balance of your lawn’s turf can make some big differences when making decisions about your lawn care.

• How frequently should you water your lawn during your area’s wet and or dry seasons? Rainfall frequency and amounts vary greatly from state to state. Some areas of the U.S. receive less than 8 inches of rain each year, while others experience 100 inches or more over the same time period. Knowing the annual rainfall in your area, as well as when throughout the year it is distributed, is essential when deciding how often you should water your lawn.

• What type of grass is in your lawn, and what is the ideal mowing height? There are many types of grass found in lawns across the nation. Knowing the type of grass that you have is very important, because each type of grass has its own specific care regimen. Knowing which type of grass you have is essential when making a lawn maintenance schedule.

• What are the most common lawn diseases and pest problems in your area? Knowing the enemy is half of the battle when it comes to fighting pests and diseases. If there are certain pests that have a history of invading lawns in your area during the spring, you can beat them to the punch by applying targeted insecticides in your lawn before the pests ever arrive.

Keep an eye out for warning signs in your lawn

Sticking to a lawn maintenance schedule that’s been built using regional information will give you the best shot at a healthy lawn. Unfortunately, problems can arise in any lawn, but the best way to eliminate problems is to notice them at the very first sign. Keep a close eye out for the type of insects you see around your lawn, as well as browning on plants or grass.

If your lawn seems to be retaining moisture for excessive periods of time, you may need to aerate or set up drainage paths. Failing to do so can lead to rotting roots. Brown or yellow spots in your yard could be a sign of disease or pH imbalance. Keeping an eye out for problems such as these can help with the early prevention that’s required to save your yard from some of the most common lawn problems.