Maintenance: Blades need to be periodically sharpened.

Rototiller:

Type: Manual, gas, electric

Purpose: Similar to an aerator, except that the rototiller is able to work through harder surfaces and in a larger patterned area. Rototillers are generally used in gardening areas and flower beds at the beginning of planting season.

Maintenance: Blades should be sprayed off with a gardening hose to remove excessive dirt and debris. Blades often need to be sharpened. Tune-ups must be performed on the motors to ensure they are operating properly.

Lawn fertilizer and chemicals

Maintenance is vitally important to proper lawn care. This includes proper mowing but also includes watering and fertilizing.

Watering the grass is especially important in dry climates where there may be several weeks without rain. This allows the grass to maintain a proper growth rate and reduces the risk of grass killing diseases.

Fertilizing is worthwhile in any climate but a necessity when the soil lacks nutrients. The most important ingredient in fertilizer is nitrogen which is vital for the continued growth of thick and healthy grass that can spring back into shape after being crushed by something that has run over it.

Higher nitrogen is essential for maintaining grass that is already established.

Pesticides can be essential to preventing infestations and disease but should be used with great caution. Some pesticides are very harsh on a lawn and can cause as much new damage as it prevents in old damage.

All pesticides should be checked for natural ingredients which should take preference over harsher chemical based pesticides.

READ MORE: Synthetic Vs. Organic Lawn Fertilizers

Lawn abuse is common, especially among families with pets. Everyone wants to enjoy their lawn but must be careful not to put too much pressure on the grass to stay healthy and get constantly trampled. Pets also cause issues because their urine actually burns the grass and can cause yellow discoloration.

Even if every step above is followed, some lawns will manage to get diseased. Brown patch disease is treated the same way it is prevented, with proper watering. It can also be treated by reducing the amount of nitrogen in the ground.

There are many diseases that can affect a lawn including fairy rings, red thatch, and dollar spots. Most can be treated by returning to proper maintenance habits but if the disease is not resolved after a week of proper maintenance, it may be necessary to call in a professional.

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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a lush lawn without having to water or mow the grass?

Common types of grass

Given the expansive land area of the United States, homeowners in different regions will experience varying climates and growing conditions that may challenge the type of grass they can grow in their yards.

In the north, where the growing seasons are short and the climates extreme, certain varieties of grass will thrive. In the south, where the soil may be clay or sandy with mild winters and long hot summers, those same grasses may not do as well. A lawn care specialist can help determine which type will thrive on your lawn.

Cool weather grasses:

Bentgrass: This type of grass tolerates close mowing, but does not tolerate hot, dry weather or cold winters. The variety is better for golf courses, since it is low maintenance, can withstand droughts and tolerates high traffic. Unfortunately, it does require constant mowing.

Kentucky bluegrass: The most popular of the cool season grasses, Kentucky bluegrass spreads well and fills in bare spots. Bluegrass goes dormant in hot, dry weather and during the winter, but performs poorly in extreme shade. Be sure to water regularly and fertilize often to keep this grass healthy.

Rough bluegrass: This type of grass does well in cool moist conditions, performs well in lower temperatures and responds well to fertilization and irrigation. Unfortunately, it is highly susceptible to insects and diseases.

Red fescue: This grass flourishes in cool shaded sites such as camps, resorts and cabins. It requires little in the way of water, fertilization or mowing.

Annual ryegrass: Mostly used as forage for animals, ryegrass can be used as a mix with other grasses to provide the dominate grass with more thickness and density.

Perennial ryegrass: Best for moist and cool environments, and where temperatures are not extreme. When used in the south, it has the highest maintenance requirement. Mowing, watering, fertilization and pest management is required for health.

If you want a lush, green lawn each summer then it's smart to determine what type of grass grows best in your region of the country. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Warm weather grasses:

Bahia: Resistant to drought, disease and insects, Bahia also survives in sand or clay. Predominately used along coastal areas in Florida, Bahia grass needs to be frequently mowed during hot weather.

Bermuda: Drought resistant, yet adaptable to various soils, Bermuda grass is used frequently for lawns in the south. It is also used for athletic fields, parks and golf courses. It does not flourish in the shade, but it can handle large amounts of traffic.

Centipede: This grass is slow growing, but it is ideal for lawns since it is low maintenance and does not require much fertilization or mowing.

Saint Augustine: Very popular in the Southern United States, Saint Augustine is good for coastal regions. However, it performs poorly in cold climates and does not tolerate high traffic well.

Zoysia: Extremely drought tolerant, Zoysia is deep rooted, does well on sandy seashores and handles traffic well.

Grass alternatives:

Native plants: When using plants that naturally grow in your area, you will find that they are usually drought resistant and give a variation in appearance from grass. Moreover, native plants are easily integrated with landscaping projects. Clover and moss are among the variety of plants used to cover lawns.

Artificial turf: Made of recycled materials including used tires, artificial lawns require no water, fertilization, weed killer or mowing. This choice is good for places where plant growth can be difficult.

Stone: Stone or gravel provides the owner with a variety of colors and sizes. Planning and intense labor is needed to establish the stone lawn, but once in place, it just needs to be hosed down, and sprayed with weed killer on occasion. If you live in an area where grass won't grow or don't have it in your existing landscape, consider using pea gravel as a pet-friendly surface. A small, loose, rounded, pebbly stone, pea gravel can be raked easily to remove pet and plant debris.

Cedar bark mulch: Mulch is a good alternative for homes needing a grass alternative, as it also comes in a variety of sizes and does not heat up as gravel does.

Colorful fall leaves end up on your lawn and turn into a seasonal chore. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Leaf removal options

For DIY leaf removal, there are a few different tools that you should have on hand. Most of what you need will be determined by how big your yard is and how many trees you have dumping leaves onto it, but there are some general necessities that you'll need no matter what.

A heavy-duty rake, some gloves and a strong back are generally all you need for a small yard.

For larger yards, you will need some sort of powered leaf-collection tools if you plan on getting your lawn finished in a reasonable time frame. This can be anything from powered sweepers to leaf-blowers, and they are absolutely necessary if you don't want to spend your entire weekend getting rid of leaves.

Next, you need something to haul the leaves with. This can be anything from a truck to a wheel-barrow, with a truck being more preferable.

MORE: Should You Rake Leaves or Leave Them?

Finally, disposal is an aspect of yard cleaning that people don't always seem to take into consideration. Once you clean up all the leaves, you'll need to get rid of them. Some people simply use the “lawn waste” pickup provided by their garbage company.

A leaf removal company can help homeowners maintain a leaf-free lawn. There are a few key benefits that a leaf removal company can provide to you that simply aren't available to DIY leaf collection enthusiasts. They have the right equipment and the manpower to get the job done efficiently and quickly.

There are a few different things that you can do to help ensure that you don't get bombarded by too many leaves in the fall.

Most obviously, you could replace your landscaping with evergreens, eliminating the problem entirely. Next, you can have the branches trimmed so only enough of the tree remains to remain attractive.

While some of these are more difficult than others, they will all result in lower numbers of leaves hitting your yard.