While a lush green lawn typifies the suburban ideal, the time and money not to mention the ecological cost of maintaining a lawn has led many homeowners to replace at least part of their lawn with other forms of landscaping, which can be just as beautiful.

While you may be decreasing the size of your lawn, in this case less is more more colors and textures, more areas for recreation and entertaining, and more wildlife habitat.

- Plant a hedge. The least-used parts of your lawn are most likely on the edge of your property. Create privacy and visual interest by planting a “tapestry hedge” with mixed shrubs.
- Build a pond, patio, or island bed in the center of your lawn. Create a visual focal point, a place for entertaining, or a habitat for attracting wildlife.
- Create a tree island. If you have one or more trees in the middle of your yard, chances are the grass that grows underneath isn’t that healthy. Why not plant ground cover, perennials, or woodland plants under your tree instead.
- Devote part of your yard to wildflowers, drought-tolerant grasses, and other native plantings. Practice xeriscaping using plants to replace part of your water-hungry lawn.
- Plant a ground cover to replace some of your lawn. Ground covers are great on slopes, in shaded areas under trees, and in the front yard where a lawn is less apt to be used for recreational purposes.

Here are some important tips to maintain your lawn tools:

1. Free your hand tools from any mud or soil after using. If dried mud has been accumulated on your hand tools, use a screwdriver or paint stripper to scrape it off.

2. Keep your tools dry whenever they accumulate any moisture. It will prevents them from any rusts

3. During every spring, sharpen your cutting tools and your mower blades to keep their cutting edges in good condition.

4. During chemical applications when you use any metal tools, put them under running water before wiping it dry. Herbicides and fungicides can easily corrode metal tools.

In this video, Learn how to edge your front yard using either an electric edger or a hoe.

One of the most important tool of lawn care is to watering your lawn and when it and when watering your lawn, you need to have proper lawn sprinkler. There are six general types of sprinkler to help you determine which of them to use according to your lawn’s size, layout of yard, soil type and price range.

1. Stationary Lawn Sprinkler – This sprinkler is very affordable. They come in different designs. Its lawn’s area mostly depend on the shape, size and pattern of the holes and on the water pressure as well. Stationary sprinkler works best with low water pressure but they don’t throw water too far that’s why they are good for small areas of lawn since most of them spray water through pattern of holes in its top.

2. Rotary – also called a revolving sprinkler because the water is thrown from the tips of two or three spinning arms. This is not recommended for sandy or sloped areas since the water goes down quickly. They work best on similar lawns because rotary types have a low throw radius. And during hot summer, its great for kids to run through.

3. Oscillating – It is the most common among the six types. As we usually see on lawns, they spray out a fan-shaped curtain of water and they are a metal arm oscillates back and forth to cover a rectangular area. It is ideal for watering big areas of lawn because of its Oscillating types. Also, Its gentle spray is perfect for newly seeded areas and clay soils that absorb water slowly.

4. Pulsating – an impulse sprinkler for large lawns and is consider the most effecient among the six types. A very durable kind that has a single water jet that sits close to the ground. Distribution of water is even over large areas with circular or semi-circular patterns. Its spray of water on the ground is very strong making it wide resistant that is close to the ground so the lawns could absorb water easily. And you can select spray patterns as you would like to be so you can control the height of the stream. As well as adjust the spray to full jet and fine mist for newly seeded lawns.

5. Traveling Versions – Also a self-propelled type of sprinkler that have wheels and follow a garden hose. Its cord is laid out by the user. Its pattern is two rotating arms spray water in a circular. The arms can be adjusted to vary the diameter of the spray circle. This type is expensive and well made. The arms can be adjusted to fit the diameter of the spray circle. When choosing a traveling version, this could be the best among other types because it can be use to water large, irregular lawns over several hours and make sure it has an automatic shut off valve.

6. In-ground Systems – Lastly, the in-ground sprinkler or lawn irrigation system that is best for large lawns or in those regions that grass doesn’t grow very well without enough supplement of water. This is also expensive to install and purchase. But once installed, you’ll not gonna be using a hose around to water your lawn. And when you’re away, Make sure they are installed in a pattern that ensures complete and uniform coverage.

Source: Lawn Sprinkler

Keeping a a healthy green lawn will be very difficult without these major tools needed by your lawn:
1. Lawn Mower

This is the top most important tool needed for lawn care. No matter how big or wide or long your lawn is you need to cut them more often to keep it look tidy and clean and that would be easy for you to maintain them. Thus, you need a lawn mower. There are many different types of lawn mowers, and you can pick the one that is right for you. If you don’t have much of a lawn to mow you can buy a mower that you push. However, there are also riding lawn mowers that are becoming less and less expensive that you can buy in order to have the lawn of your dreams.

2. Rakes

Another important thing you need are rakes to clean up lawns. It comes in different types that you can use for grass,leaves, and debris. You can use the simple type as long as it can be strong enough to clean up your lawn and gentle enough for your lawn not to get hurt.

3. Watering System

Another essential tool for lawn care is water. Not just humans do need water but lawns and plants as well. For small lawns, a hose could be fine but for larger ones a sprinkler would be the best to make sure all parts of it has absorbed with water. But you have to also be aware of the proper watering system for lawns to avoid mistake.

4. Trash Bin

This trash bin is an important part of lawn care since all garbages are being kept in it. So the leaves and sticks should be put in its designated place too.

5. A Good Shovel

Living in an area where it snows should know the importance of the snow removal items.but if not, you are going to have to have a shovel. A good shovel is an important part of lawn care. You can use it to dig holes, to get rid of things that are on your lawn that you don’t want, and for a whole variety of reasons. You should always be sure that you have one at your disposal.

Lawn care is a big factor for your lawns at home. And you should make sure that you have all these pieces to make your lawns healthy. Its something that takes a lot of practice, more effort and time with patience but it can be much easier if you take the time to make sure you have the correct tools before you start. It can be much easier that way.

Source: lawn care