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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.

Mowing at least once a week during the growing season is a good general rule. However, every lawn is different, and factors like frequent rain and fertilizer use can cause grass to grow faster, potentially requiring mowing as often as every four days. When you mow, always follow the 'one-third rule': never cut more than one-third of the grass blade's height at once, as this can weaken it and prevent it from taking in proper nutrients. For most grass types, the ideal height is around 2 to 3 inches, though some warm-weather grasses do better when kept shorter at about 1.5 to 2 inches.

Stick to your watering schedule. As long as new grass is getting plenty of water from irrigation, it shouldn’t need watering right after you cut it. Watch for signs like yellowing grass that shows a new lawn isn’t getting enough water and needs more regular irrigation. If you want to water after mowing, wait until the afternoon. Hot, direct sunlight can scorch grass more easily when it’s wet, so it’s better to wait until the day has cooled off.

The best times to mow your lawn are mid-morning or early evening. Mowing in the mid-morning, around 10 a.m., allows any dew to evaporate so the grass is dry. Cutting dry grass is easier on both the lawn and the mower, and this timing gives the grass blades time to recover in the sunlight before the peak afternoon heat. Alternatively, you can mow in the late afternoon or early evening once the heat of the day has passed. Avoid mowing too early in the morning when the grass is still wet with dew, and try not to mow during the hottest part of the day, as high temperatures and harsh sunlight can put extra stress on the grass.