WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES JUNE 22, 2017 19
AT HOME
Want to catch homebuyers' eyes? Follow 5 easy steps to a lush lawn
When it comes to selling a
home there are many different
strategies and most
of them focus on the home's interior.
However, what many sellers fail to
realize is that it's the exterior of the
home that oft en makes or breaks a sale.
Curb appeal is necessary for that vital
fi rst impression. Much of a buyer's
opinion about a property is formed
before they even enter the front door.
Research shows curb appeal not only
speeds the sale but also increases off er
prices.
One of the biggest infl uencing factors
of curb appeal is the health of the
lawn. Think about how much property
space the lawn covers. A sparse lawn
dotted with weeds lowers a buyer's
opinion of the home, while a lush,
green lawn elevates a home, and gives
the impression it is well taken care of.
Lawn revitalization projects provide
impressive return on investment.
According to the 2016 Remodeling Impact:
Outdoor Features report, lawn
seeding earns the top spot for return
on investment, recovering 417 percent
of the project cost at resale. Implementing
a standard lawn care program
recovers 303 percent and updating a
landscape with a sod lawn recovers
143 percent. Lawn revitalization
projects off er much higher returns
than many other home improvement
projects, including kitchen remodels
and deck additions.
Lawn revitalization projects are
surprisingly easy to do, so whether
you're selling your home or are staying
put and just want to enjoy your
property more, it's a worthwhile investment.
The experts at Grass Seed
USA, a coalition of grass seed farmers
and academic turf specialists, off er the
following fi ve simple steps to achieving
a lush lawn fast.
1. AERATE
When the soil under a lawn becomes
too compacted, water, air and
nutrients have a hard time reaching
grass roots. Lawn aerators correct this
problem by pulling small plugs of soil
about 1/2 inch in diameter and 2 to 3
inches deep out of the ground. You can
aff ordably rent an aerator for a day or
hire a professional.
2. RESEED
If you have bare patches or your
lawn looks thin, reseeding is an easy
solution. Start by contacting a local turf
specialist to determine the best seed or
sod to purchase for your location and
soil type. Then, rake the bare areas of
your lawn and apply seed. Water lightly
and regularly until new grass grows
in. The spring and fall are good times to
seed due to cooler weather, although it
can be done any time of year.
3. MOW HIGH
Never cut off more than 1/3 of the
grass blade height at a time. If grass
gets too long, raise the height on
your mower. Recommended mowing
heights vary by grass type, but an easy
rule of thumb for the most common
types of lawn is to mow to a 2-inch
height when the grass blades reach 3
inches tall.
4. FERTILIZE
To keep your lawn healthy, aim
to fertilize at least once a year; four
times a year is ideal. Your local garden
center can recommend the fertilizer
best for your climate and grass type.
Additionally, naturally fertilize your
lawn by leaving grass clippings aft er
you mow. As grass clippings break
down, they enrich the soil with nitrogen,
phosphorus and potassium, the
same nutrients found in fertilizer.
5. IRRIGATE
A thorough watering once or twice
a week is better than lightly misting
every day. Allowing the soil to dry
before it is watered again encourages
the roots to grow deeper into the soil
and can help the lawn become drought
tolerant in the future. What's more,
water during the early morning and
evening hours to avoid excess evaporation.
Watering during the heat of the
day can actually scald and burn grass.
Learn more about quick, easy lawn
improvement and maintenance tips at
www.WeSeedAmerica.com or follow @
WeSeedAmerica on Facebook and Twitter.
Courtesy BPT
