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Lazy Lawn Care: A Guide for the Low-Maintenance Homeowner

This guide is for those who are both lazy and tired of how their yard looks. You won’t have the nicest lawn on the block, but with minimal effort, it won’t be the worst either. We’ll have you spending your money wisely and doing your own manual labor—it’s just how it has to be.

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How to Mow Your Lawn with Minimal Effort

Let’s start by replacing that old lawn mower blade of yours. Let’s be honest—you probably haven’t replaced it since you bought the mower a decade ago. Think about how many rocks and branches it’s likely shredded in that time. Sure, you could try sharpening it, but let’s face it, this guide is for the lazy and the uninitiated. Grab the model number of your mower, head to your local hardware store, and buy a new blade.

Once you’ve swapped the blade, set the mower deck to 3 ½ inches. Longer grass means deeper roots, and those longer blades help shade the soil, reducing evaporation. The general rule is to never cut more than a third of the grass blade at once. But let’s be real, mow whenever the lawn looks messy—but at least once a week to stay consistent.

Alternate your mowing pattern each week—north to south one week, east to west the next. Switching up the direction helps prevent ruts from forming and ensures you catch any missed grass from your last mow, especially if the lawn was still a bit wet… because, let’s be honest, we’ve all been there.

Watering Your Lawn: Simple, Efficient, and Effective

How Much Water Does Your Lawn Need?

Your lawn needs 1 inch of water each week. Unlike you, it prefers getting all that water at once rather than small daily sips. Deep watering encourages deep root growth, which is crucial for surviving the summer heat. If you water daily, the roots stay shallow. Deep roots are essential for lawn health, so give your grass a reason to grow deeper.

This water can come from rainfall or your sprinkler system. Either way, it needs to be enough to reach the roots.

Recommended product(s):

How to Measure Your Watering

To figure out how much water your sprinkler is actually putting down, use a few tuna cans and a clock.

  1. Place several tuna cans in the path of your sprinkler.

  2. Set your sprinkler to maximum output.

  3. Check the cans at regular intervals (e.g., 15, 30, 45 minutes).

  4. Keep an eye on when you’ve collected 1 inch of water.

Recommended product(s):

Note any difference in water levels between the containers. Your sprinkler might not be distributing water evenly.

Adjusting Your Watering Time

Once you know how long it takes to reach 1 inch of water, adjust your watering schedule accordingly:

  • No rain? Water for the full duration.

  • Light sprinkle? Water for the full duration anyway.

  • Heavy downpour? Cut it to half an inch.

  • Multiple downpours? Enjoy your day off from watering!

Fertilizing Your Lawn: A Simple Approach

Measuring Your Lawn

Knowing the size of your lawn in square feet is essential for accurate fertilization (and herbicide application). Use whatever tool works best for you that you have on hand:

  • Reel Tape Measure

  • Measuring Wheel

  • Rangefinder (Shooting/Hunting)

  • Or just walk heel to toe across your lawn.

Once you’ve got your measurements, calculate the total square footage. We’ll be applying fertilizer based on 1,000 square feet.

Suggested product(s):

Applying Fertilizer the Lazy Way

Your lawn needs about 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year. But we’re all about simplicity, so we’ll apply 1 pound of nitrogen four times a year: around Easter, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Halloween.

Choosing the Right Fertilizer

Head to your local hardware store and pick up granular fertilizer. We want the highest nitrogen content for the best price. Look for fertilizer with a formula like 25-X-X or 30-X-X. Don’t waste your money on weed and feed products—they’re sub optimal and not worth your money.

Setting the Spreader and Spreading Fertilizer

Check the bag of fertilizer for the recommended setting on your broadcast spreader. You can double-check using the Purdue Fertilizer Calculator, but generally, the instructions will tell you to apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft.

Recommended product(s):

Effective Weed Control: No Fuss, No Hassle

Tackling Weeds the Right Way

If you’ve been tolerating weeds in your lawn because they’re “green,” it’s time to kick them to the curb. A lush lawn is possible even without weeds.

Weed and feed products? Nope. These often don’t do their “weed job” and can damage your grass. Instead, apply liquid broadleaf weed killer (look for products with 2,4-D) to get rid of most common weeds, like dandelions.  You will want to add a surfactant to ensure the weeds uptake as much of the herbicide as possible.

When to Spray Weed Killer

The best times to apply herbicide are:

  • Spring, when dandelions start popping up.

  • Late Fall, during cooler, sweater weather days.

How to Mix and Apply Weed Killer

  1. Mix the Solution: Follow the label instructions (in our example below, 2.5 ounces of 2,4-D and 2 ounces of MSO in a 2 gallon sprayer).

  2. Fill with Water: Fill it the rest of the way with water.

  3. Apply: Walk at a normal pace while fanning the sprayer nozzle from side to side. The goal is to wet the leaves without drenching them.

Recommended product(s):

Note: If certain weeds do not respond after 2 treatments of 2,4-D, you may have weeds that require the use of Quinclorac (Crabgrass), Triclopyr (Creeping Charlie, Violets), or Sulfentrazone (Sedges) to name a few.

Thicken Your Lawn with Minimal Effort

When to Overseed for a Thicker Lawn

The best time to overseed your lawn is early fall, after Memorial Day but before the cold weather sets in. You want to give the grass enough time to germinate and establish before winter arrives.

How to Overseed Your Lawn

Look for a “Sun and Shade” grass seed blend, which adapts well to various conditions. Apply the seed just like fertilizer, spreading it evenly while following the bag instructions. If you have bare spots, apply extra seed in those areas.

Recommended product(s):

Watering New Grass Seed

Water your lawn 2 to 4 times a day to keep the soil moist. Don’t overdo it with water, but keep it wet—your goal is to encourage seed germination.

Mowing Tips for Overseeded Lawns

You may mow your existing lawn low to prevent it from blocking sunlight from reaching your new seeds before throwing anything down. However, if your lawn is already thick in that area, you can skip the extra mowing—it’s the lazy guide, after all!

Note: If your lawn does not respond to grass seed after 2-3 weeks, you may have additional soil issues going on such as compaction, ph levels, or other deficiencies.

In Summary: A Simple Lawn Care Routine

Achieving a healthy, thick lawn doesn’t have to be complicated. By following these basic steps, you can maintain a green, healthy lawn with minimal effort:

  1. Fertilize your lawn a few times a year with high-nitrogen fertilizer.

  2. Water deeply, aiming for 1 inch of water per week to encourage deep root growth.

  3. Overseed in the early fall with a “Sun and Shade” seed mix to fill in bare spots and thicken your lawn.

Stick to a regular routine, be consistent, and don’t overcomplicate things. With a bit of patience, you’ll have a low-maintenance lawn that stays green and beautiful year-round.

Remember, nature takes time. With minimal effort and a simple routine, your lawn will thrive.