Get matched with top lawn care pros in Penasco, NM

The American ideal of a large, perfectly-manicured lawn is tied to the post-World War II suburban housing boom. In the decades that followed, technological advances made self-propelled mowers more affordable and plentiful. Many Americans came to see reel mowers as old-fashioned, inconvenient, and time-consuming, and they eventually fell out of fashion.  

There are a few ways to fix your lawn on a budget, including:

• Identify the lawn care problem and learn how to seed, fertilize, and aerate your lawn. 

• Reseed old, damaged lawn with new grass that fares better in your environment. 

• Remove grass from your yard so you no longer need to worry about lawn care costs.

The best time to water your lawn is in the early morning. This timing allows the grass to dry during the day, which reduces the risk of mildew and fungus, and ensures the lawn has moisture to withstand the day's heat. Watering during the peak afternoon sun is inefficient, as the water evaporates too quickly.

Watering in the evening or at night is not recommended. Prolonged moisture on the grass overnight can promote fungal diseases. Additionally, nighttime conditions can be colder and windier, which may cause water to be blown away or prevent it from being properly absorbed by the soil.

Depending on your lawn mower type, you can mow anywhere from 2.5 to 13 miles per hour (mph). A simple push lawn mower will take the longest to mow at 2.5 mph, which is just under the average walking pace. Riding mowers can go significantly faster. Rear engines come in at around 5 mph, tractors come in at just shy of 8 mph, and zero-turn mowers come in at the fastest speed of 13 mph.