Taking care of your lawn is important not just for appearance's sake, but also for your home's resale value. According to Total Mortgage, your home's landscape makes up about 15% of your home's market value. If you're not properly taking care of your lawn, now is the time to start. Here are seven expert tips on how to maintain a healthy and beautiful lawn.

1. You Should Mow Regularly

Mowing your lawn once a week is the key to having a healthy lawn. Mowing more often than that will actually do more harm than good. When your lawn is mowed too often, you risk damaging the lawn by scalping it, which leaves brown patches. Not only does this damage the lawn, but it also makes it more susceptible to disease and pests. When you use a professional landscaping company, you'll never have to worry about mowing too little or too often.

2. You Should Sharpen Your Mower Blades

Another lawn maintenance tip is to make sure you're using sharp mower blades. Dull blades rip the grass rather than cut it, which again makes the lawn more susceptible to disease and pests. Sharpening your blades every few weeks will help ensure a clean cut and a healthy lawn. This is another tip that's better left to the professionals, especially if you're not sure how to sharpen the blades.

3. You Should Fertilize

Applying fertilizer to your lawn is important to maintain its health. However, it would be best to avoid over-fertilizing, as this can damage the lawn. It's best to fertilize in the spring and fall when the lawn is actively growing, but if you're using professional lawn services, then they already know the best time and way to fertilize your lawn.

4. You Should Water Deeply and Infrequently

Another lawn maintenance tip is to water deeply and infrequently. The best lawn service companies know how to effectively water your lawn without wasting water. Watering deeply down into the roots encourages the roots to grow, making the lawn more drought-resistant. Watering too often and not enough discourages root growth, which makes the lawn more susceptible to drought.

5. You Should Aerate

This is another tip that any competent landscaping company will already be thinking about. Aerating your lawn is important to help the roots grow deep and strong. Aerating also helps improve drainage and prevents thatch build-up. The best time to aerate your lawn is in the fall.

6. You Should Be Using More Seed

Using more seed than recommended in your lawn is a great way to fill in bare spots and improve the overall health of the lawn. Seeding more than you think is necessary also helps to crowd out weeds. The best time to seed your lawn is in the fall. If you're not sure how much is enough and you don't want to waste money on seed, a professional lawn care service can easily take care of this for you.

7. You Should Use Mulch

Mulching your lawn is a great way to control weeds and conserve moisture. Mulch also helps to insulate the soil and protect the roots from extreme temperatures. Call your local lawn service company in the spring to set up your annual session!

Maintaining a healthy lawn doesn't have to be difficult. By following these tips, you'll be sure to have a lawn that's the envy of your neighborhood. The best way to maintain a beautiful lawn is to hire experts. Reach out to us today at Keller Commercial & Home Services for all of your lawn maintenance needs.