New Homeowner Guide: Lawn and garden care and upkeep
Published March 28, 2025 by Angela Talbot
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Categories:
- Home Lending
A well-maintained lawn and garden can transform a house into a home. For new homeowners, landscaping often feels like both a rewarding challenge and an overwhelming task. Yet, dedicating time to your outdoor space doesn’t just make your property look great—it can boost curb appeal, increase your home’s value, and create a personal sanctuary for relaxation and entertainment.
Whether you’re stepping into yardwork for the first time or looking to refine your skills, lawn and garden upkeep can be straightforward with the right tools, techniques, and know-how. This guide will walk you through everything you need to get started, from choosing tools and plants to mastering seasonal care.
Essential tools for lawn and garden maintenance
Before you get your hands dirty, having the right tools is key. A thoughtfully curated toolkit makes even the most intimidating tasks more manageable.
Must-have equipment:
- Lawn Mower: For small-to-medium yards, consider an electric or manual reel mower for efficiency and ease of use.
- Rake and Leaf Blower: Ideal for keeping your lawn clear of debris like leaves and twigs.
- Garden Shears and Pruning Tools: Essential for trimming shrubs and maintaining plants’ health.
- Spade, Shovel, and Hand Trowel: Versatile tools for digging, planting, and moving soil.
- Hose with Adjustable Nozzle or Sprinkler System: Ensure efficient watering with a hose that offers multiple spray settings or a sprinkler for larger areas.
- Gloves and Kneeling Pad: Protect your hands and knees while working in the garden.
- Fertilizer Spreader: A handheld or push spreader ensures even distribution of nutrients.
Pro tips:
- Invest in quality tools—they’ll last longer and perform better over time.
- Store your tools in a weatherproof shed or toolbox to prevent rust and wear.
- If you’re working with a limited budget, focus on multi-purpose tools to get started.
Seasonal lawn and garden care tips
Gardening isn’t just a warm-weather hobby. Different seasons demand different care, so it’s important to adapt your efforts throughout the year.
Spring
- Prepare Your Lawn: Remove debris and rake up dead leaves to encourage new grass growth and aeration.
- Fertilize and Overseed: Apply a light, slow-release fertilizer and reseed any bare patches in the lawn.
- Prune Trees and Shrubs: Trim away dead or overgrown branches before the growing season begins.
Summer
- Water Wisely: Water your lawn and plants early in the morning or late in the afternoon to minimize evaporation.
- Mow Strategically: Keep your grass slightly longer during the hotter months to maintain its health—cut no more than 1/3 of the blade length.
- Monitor for Pests: Look for signs of aphids, grubs, or other pests and address them with eco-friendly methods like neem oil or introducing natural predators.
Fall
- Clear Leaves and Aerate: Rake away fallen leaves and aerate the lawn to reduce soil compaction before winter.
- Seed and Mulch: Reseed your lawn and add mulch to garden beds for insulation and protection during colder months.
- Plant Spring Bulbs: Now’s the time to plant tulips, daffodils, and other spring-blooming flowers before the ground freezes.
Winter
- Store Tools Properly: Clean and store your tools indoors to prevent rust or damage from freezing temperatures.
- Minimal Care: Remove snow from shrubs to prevent breakage and avoid heavy work until conditions improve.
- Plan Ahead: Research plants, sketch out landscaping ideas, and prepare a calendar for the next planting season.
Common gardening mistakes to avoid
While trial and error is part of the gardening process, there are several common mistakes you can avoid to save time and effort.
Watch Out For:
- Overwatering or underwatering: Watering plants incorrectly can easily damage their health. Always check soil moisture before watering.
- Cutting grass too short: Scalping your lawn weakens grass roots, making it more vulnerable to pests and drought.
- Excessive fertilizer: Too much fertilizer can burn your plants and pollute the environment.
- Ignoring soil quality: Skipping soil tests can leave you guessing about the nutrients your plants need.
- Planting in the wrong spots: Sun-loving plants in shade or vice versa? Always match plants to their ideal environment.
Pro Tip: Keep a gardening journal. Tracking your planting dates, watering habits, and any successes or failures can help you refine your process year after year.
Beginner-friendly plants for low-maintenance landscaping
Starting out with plants that thrive in various conditions and require minimal care will make your gardening experience more enjoyable.
Flowers
- Marigolds: Can help deter rabbits from munching on your tulips or fruits and veggies!
- Petunias: Some sources suggest petunias repel pests like mosquitos.
- Coneflowers: Attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
- Impatiens: Thrive in partial shade making them ideal for planting in areas under trees.
Shrubs
- Boxwood: Live for many years and thrive throughout the seasons.
- Hydrangeas: Beautiful blooms and attractive to pollinators.
- Butterfly Bush: Pest free with long-time blooms and a pleasant smell.
Groundcovers
Any of these plants are good lawn alternatives as they all tolerate foot traffic and suppress weeds.
- Creeping Thyme: Attracts pollinators and can deter deer.
- Clover: Drought tolerant and a natural fertilizer. Clover seed is typically less expensive than grass seed.
- Sweet Woodruff: Loves shade and has a sweet aroma.
Vegetables/Herbs
- Basil
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes (perfect for pots or small garden patches)
Why These Work: These plants are resilient, beginner-friendly, and often low-maintenance, ensuring your garden thrives without constant upkeep.
Bonus Tip: Incorporate native plants into your landscaping. They’re naturally adapted to your region’s climate, require less water, and support local wildlife.
Garden maintenance made simple
Consistency is key when it comes to garden care. Follow these simple routines for a thriving outdoor space:
- Watering Schedule: Water deeply 1-2 times per week rather than daily, which promotes stronger root growth. Use the “finger test” to feel for soil moisture.
- Mowing Techniques: Keep mower blades sharp for clean cuts and alternate mowing directions weekly to prevent soil compaction.
- Fertilization: Apply organic fertilizer seasonally for balanced plant growth and a healthier lawn.
- Pest Control: Introduce natural solutions, such as marigolds to deter insects or birds that feed on pests, to minimize chemical use.
Creative design ideas for inviting outdoor spaces
Take your garden to the next level with these simple yet impactful design ideas.
Simple additions
- Place colorful potted plants near entryways or on patios.
- Mix plants of varying heights and textures to enhance visual interest.
DIY enhancements
- Build a charming pathway with stepping stones or gravel.
- Add a birdbath or birdhouse to invite wildlife into your garden.
Lighting and decor
- Line pathways with solar-powered lights for a warm, inviting glow.
- Use seasonal decor, like string lights in summer or pumpkins in autumn.
Small yard tips
- Use vertical planting with trellises or hanging baskets to maximize space.
- Place mirrors strategically to create the illusion of depth.
Turn your yard into a home oasis
Caring for your lawn and garden is more than just a chore—it’s an investment in your home, your community, and your well-being. By starting with the basics, avoiding common pitfalls, and experimenting with creative landscaping ideas, even beginners can achieve stunning results.
Remember, gardening is a learning process, and every little effort contributes to creating a space you can be proud of. Roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, and watch as your outdoor areas transform into a reflection of your personal style and care.
Need a little extra funding to build your backyard oasis? Webster First can help with a Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit.