As summer approaches, homeowners start preparing their outdoor spaces to welcome longer days, warm weather, and plenty of family activities. For Kiwi families, a well-maintained lawn isn’t just about appearances—it’s about having a kid-friendly space that’s safe, inviting, and free from hazards. A healthy, lush lawn becomes a shoe-free play haven, whether it’s for backyard games, barbecues, or simply relaxing under the sun. 

However, creating and maintaining a kid-friendly lawn isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. Ensuring that your grass is healthy, lush, and resilient, as well as keeping weeds and pests under control, requires consistent care. Fortunately, Crewcut’s lawn care and garden services can help transform your yard into a perfect summer retreat. Our team provides professional residential lawn mowing and gardening services throughout New Zealand, helping Kiwi homeowners achieve a safe, kid-friendly lawn with ease. 

Why Choose Crewcut, a Professional Lawn Care Service? 

Maintaining a vibrant, kid-friendly lawn requires more than just occasional mowing. Without proper care, lawns can become patchy, weeds can take over, and pests can cause damage—all of which can make outdoor playtime less enjoyable. By investing in Crewcut’s lawn mowing services, New Zealand families can be assured of a lawn that looks great and withstands the demands of active children. 

Here’s how Crewcut can help make your lawn the perfect summer playground for your family: 

1. Consistent Lawn Mowing for a Healthier, Safer Yard 

Regular mowing is essential to keep a lawn healthy and resilient, especially in high-traffic areas frequented by children. Mowing helps prevent overgrowth and encourages the grass to grow more densely, which creates a soft, lush surface that’s comfortable and safe for kids to play on. 

With Crewcut’s residential lawn mowing, you’ll benefit from reliable, routine mowing tailored to the specific needs of your lawn. We cut the grass to the optimal height, ensuring it remains durable and attractive throughout the summer. Our professional equipment also results in a cleaner cut than DIY mowing, which reduces the likelihood of lawn diseases and helps maintain a green, uniform look. 

2. Safe Weed Control for a Pristine Lawn 

Weeds are not only unsightly, but they can also pose risks in a kid-friendly lawn. Many common weeds have thorns, prickles, or toxic properties that can lead to scrapes, stings, or allergic reactions. Managing weeds effectively is essential for creating a safe play area for children. 

Crewcut’s gardening services include safe and effective weed control solutions to help eliminate invasive plants without endangering your lawn’s health. We employ eco-friendly techniques that are child- and pet-safe, keeping your yard both weed-free and safe for little ones to explore. 

3. Soil Health and Fertilization 

A lush lawn starts with healthy soil. For a lawn to withstand active play, it needs strong roots and ample nutrients to thrive, particularly during the summer months. Crewcut provides soil assessment and fertilization services, helping ensure your grass has the nutrients it needs for optimal growth and resilience. 

Our team applies fertilizers at the right times and in appropriate amounts to promote healthy, green growth. This results in a lawn that’s more resistant to drought, wear, and pests, offering a resilient surface that will look good even after a season of backyard soccer games and picnics. 

Want to book a free consultation? Contact our team today.  

4. Aeration for Improved Grass Growth and Resilience 

Over time, compacted soil can restrict the flow of water, nutrients, and air to your grass roots, which weakens your lawn and makes it more susceptible to weeds and disease. Aeration involves creating small holes in the soil to relieve compaction and improve root health, allowing your lawn to grow thicker and healthier. 

As part of our lawn mowing services and gardening services, Crewcut offers professional aeration, especially useful for high-traffic areas. This process revitalizes your lawn, promoting deeper roots and a more durable turf that can handle heavy use. 

5. Hedge and Tree Trimming for a Safe, Shaded Lawn 

While a healthy lawn is central to creating a kid-friendly space, maintaining nearby hedges, bushes, and trees is equally important. Overgrown branches or hedges can obstruct play areas, while untrimmed trees may pose risks of falling branches. 

Crewcut’s lawn care services include professional hedge trimming and tree pruning, which not only improves the aesthetics of your property but also ensures the safety of your outdoor space. By keeping your trees and shrubs neatly trimmed, we help maintain a clear, open lawn area perfect for family activities. 

6. Section Tidies to Keep Your Lawn Hazard-Free 

When creating a kid-friendly lawn, clutter-free surroundings are key. Toys, garden tools, and debris can quickly accumulate in outdoor areas, increasing the risk of tripping hazards. Crewcut’s section tidy service ensures your lawn remains free of clutter, green waste, and other items that might make playtime less safe. 

Our residential lawn mowing services include comprehensive section tidies, leaving your lawn and garden pristine and ready for family enjoyment. 

Why Crewcut is the Right Choice for Your Lawn Care Needs 

For homeowners in New Zealand, maintaining a beautiful and safe lawn doesn’t have to be a hassle. Crewcut’s lawn mowing services offer a complete solution for families who want a kid-friendly, vibrant lawn without the burden of upkeep. Our professional team provides everything from lawn mowing and gardening services to commercial lawn mowing for businesses. With a deep commitment to quality, safety, and reliability, Crewcut is the trusted partner for Kiwi families seeking the best in lawn care. 

When you work with Crewcut, you’re choosing more than just a lawn mowing service—you’re investing in a safer, more enjoyable outdoor space for your family. Get in touch with us today to discuss your needs and let us help you create the perfect kid-friendly lawn this summer. 

For a lawn your whole family will love this coming holidays and beyond, call Crewcut at 0800 800 286 before December 1st or get in touch to schedule your consultation. Whether you need a one-time service or regular care, Crewcut has you covered with expert, affordable options designed to keep your yard kid-friendly and safe all season long. 

Maintaining a lush, green lawn is something many New Zealand homeowners aspire to, but achieving it can seem costly. The good news is that keeping your lawn healthy doesn’t have to drain your wallet. With the right approach and a few strategic choices, you can enjoy a beautiful lawn on a budget. Here, we’ll cover essential tips for cutting costs while keeping your outdoor space looking its best. 

1. Start with Proper Soil Preparation 

Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving lawn. By improving your soil’s quality early on, you can cut down on future expenses tied to frequent fertilizing, watering, and repair. Testing your soil’s pH level is an affordable and easy way to understand its nutrient profile. Based on the results, you may only need to add a few soil amendments, such as lime for acidic soil or sulfur for overly alkaline soil, to create the perfect growing environment. 

For a DIY approach, most local gardening centers in New Zealand offer affordable soil test kits, or you can send a sample to a professional lab. Once you have a balanced soil foundation, you’ll notice that your grass grows more vigorously, which can reduce the need for frequent maintenance. 

2. Choose the Right Grass for Your Climate 

New Zealand’s diverse climate means that the type of grass you choose can make a big difference in both cost and success. Certain grass types, like fescue, are drought-tolerant and require less water—ideal for warmer or drier regions. Ryegrass, on the other hand, is well-suited to cooler areas and offers a hardy, dense lawn with moderate maintenance. 

By selecting a grass type that naturally thrives in your region, you’ll reduce the need for costly watering, fertilizing, and repair, saving you money in the long term. 

3. Mow Smarter, Not Harder 

Mowing your lawn properly can have a surprisingly significant impact on its health. Aim to mow regularly and keep your grass at a height of about 5–8 cm. Taller grass promotes deeper root growth, which allows your lawn to withstand periods of drought better and reduces the need for excess watering. 

To save even more money, consider leaving grass clippings on the lawn after mowing, as this can naturally fertilize your lawn. Known as “grasscycling,” this practice returns nutrients to the soil, making your grass healthier and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. 

4. Water Wisely 

Watering your lawn can quickly become one of the most significant costs of lawn care, especially in summer. To save money, water early in the morning when temperatures are cooler and evaporation is minimized. This ensures that more water reaches the roots rather than evaporating in the heat. 

Also, try watering deeply but less frequently. A good rule of thumb is to water about once a week, soaking the soil to encourage roots to grow deeper. Deep-rooted grass is more resilient and requires less watering overall, helping you reduce costs and conserve water. 

5. DIY Fertilizer Options 

Fertilizing is essential, but you don’t need to invest in expensive synthetic fertilizers to keep your lawn green. There are several low-cost, DIY alternatives that can provide essential nutrients. 

Composting is an excellent, sustainable way to create your own organic fertilizer. By collecting food scraps, coffee grounds, and garden waste, you can produce nutrient-rich compost that’s perfect for lawn health. Apply compost sparingly in early spring or autumn for the best results. 

Another option is to look for affordable organic fertilizers made from natural sources like bone meal or seaweed extract. These are often less expensive than high-end synthetic fertilizers and provide slow-releasing nutrients, ensuring your lawn remains healthy over a longer period. 

6. Use Mulch to Retain Moisture 

Mulching isn’t just for gardens—it can be an effective cost-saving technique for your lawn as well. Mulching around the edges of your lawn or in areas that struggle to retain moisture helps to lock in water, reducing the amount of irrigation needed. 

Additionally, mulching helps to suppress lawn weeds, meaning less time and money spent on weed control. Organic mulch options like wood chips, bark, or grass clippings can be sourced inexpensively and are a great way to retain moisture and add nutrients to your soil. 

7. Control Lawn Weeds Naturally 

Weeds can be a significant drain on both time and finances, but there are budget-friendly ways to tackle them. Rather than resorting to expensive herbicides, try natural alternatives like white vinegar, salt, or boiling water on tough spots. Corn gluten meal, available at garden stores, is a natural pre-emergent that can help prevent weed seeds from germinating without harming your grass. 

Regularly mowing and maintaining a thick, healthy lawn also prevents weeds from getting a foothold. Weeds struggle to compete in a dense, well-maintained lawn, so a bit of extra care goes a long way toward keeping them at bay. 

8. Time Your Lawn Care for Optimal Savings 

Timing can make a difference in your lawn care costs. For example, applying fertilizer just before a rainfall means you won’t have to water afterward, saving on irrigation. Similarly, aerating in early spring or autumn helps prepare your lawn for the growing season when water and nutrients are most beneficial. 

Another cost-effective approach is to look for off-season deals on lawn care supplies. Many garden stores offer discounts on fertilizer, seeds, and tools as the growing season winds down, so planning and purchasing ahead can lead to significant savings. 

9. Consider Professional Services for Key Tasks 

While DIY is great for saving money, certain tasks like aeration, dethatching, or heavy pruning may be worth outsourcing. Professional lawn care services often have specialized tools and experience that allow them to complete these tasks efficiently and effectively, saving you both time and potential costs from mistakes. 

Many lawn care providers in New Zealand offer seasonal packages that cover essential tasks without breaking the bank. Research local services to find affordable options for professional maintenance when needed. 

10. Be Consistent with Lawn Maintenance 

Consistency is one of the best cost-saving measures you can adopt. Small, regular tasks like lawn mowing, watering, and removing lawn weeds prevent larger, more expensive issues down the line. When you stay on top of lawn care, you’re less likely to need costly interventions like complete reseeding or heavy weed control treatments. 

With a consistent approach, you’ll also find that your lawn becomes healthier and more resilient over time, reducing the need for constant upkeep and making lawn care more affordable overall. 

Maintaining a beautiful lawn on a budget in New Zealand is more than possible with a strategic approach. By focusing on the essentials, timing your tasks, and using natural methods where possible, you can keep costs low while enjoying a healthy, green lawn year-round. With these expert tips, you’ll find that achieving your lawn care maintenance goals doesn’t have to break the bank. Get in touch with Crewcut to discuss your budget and requirements.

In New Zealand, where lush green lawns are a staple of both homes and businesses, maintaining a pristine outdoor space can be time-consuming and demanding. For busy homeowners and business owners alike, the challenge of keeping a lawn healthy and well-groomed year-round is no small feat. That’s where professional lawn care services come in. 

Hiring a professional lawn care service is an investment in your property’s aesthetics, health, and long-term value. Outsourcing this task offers a wide array of benefits that make it well worth every dollar spent. Whether you own a commercial property or a residential home, here's why outsourcing your lawn care is a smart choice. 

1. Time-Saving Convenience 

One of the most compelling reasons to outsource lawn care is the time it frees up. Lawn maintenance is more than just mowing the grass; it requires fertilizing, weed control, trimming, edging, and monitoring soil and plant health. For business owners and busy homeowners, finding the time to do all of this properly can be difficult. 

Professional lawn care services allow you to focus on what matters most—whether it’s growing your business, spending time with family, or simply enjoying your weekends. With experts handling your lawn, you won’t need to worry about dedicating hours to tedious tasks, leaving you free to relax and enjoy a well-kept yard. 

2. Expert Knowledge and Care 

New Zealand’s climate and soil conditions are unique, which means that understanding the specific needs of your lawn can be tricky. A professional lawn care company brings specialized knowledge of local conditions, including the best grasses to grow, optimal fertilization schedules, and how to prevent common pests and diseases. 

Professionals also have a deep understanding of the different types of grass and how each variety needs to be cared for. This ensures your lawn not only looks great but remains healthy year-round. When you outsource lawn care to experts, you're investing in the health of your landscape, which translates into a more attractive, resilient, and lush property. 

3. Cost-Effective in the Long Run 

At first glance, paying for professional lawn care may seem like an additional expense, but over time, it’s a cost-effective solution. DIY lawn care requires purchasing expensive equipment such as mowers, edgers, trimmers, and fertilizers, not to mention the ongoing costs of maintenance and repairs. 

Additionally, improper care can lead to costly mistakes. Overwatering, under-fertilizing, or not treating weeds effectively can result in patchy, unhealthy lawns that require expensive fixes. By outsourcing to professionals who use high-quality products and techniques, you avoid these risks and ensure your lawn remains healthy and vibrant, reducing the need for costly repairs down the line. 

4. Enhanced Curb Appeal 

First impressions matter whether it’s a potential customer visiting your business or guests arriving at your home. A well-manicured lawn instantly boosts curb appeal, making your property look inviting and professional. For business owners, a beautiful outdoor space can set the tone for clients and employees alike, contributing to a positive perception of your company. 

Homeowners also benefit from the increased aesthetic appeal, as a tidy and well-maintained lawn adds significant value to your home. It not only enhances your living environment but can also make a difference when it comes time to sell your property. Buyers are more likely to be drawn to homes with attractive landscaping, potentially increasing your home’s market value. 

5. Consistent Results Year-Round 

Maintaining a lawn isn’t just a summer task—your yard requires care throughout the year, with each season bringing new challenges. For example, New Zealand’s winter months can take a toll on your lawn, making it essential to prepare your grass for colder temperatures and reduced sunlight. A professional lawn care service will ensure your lawn is well-maintained year-round, providing consistent care during all seasons. 

With scheduled visits, professionals can adapt their services based on the time of year, ensuring your lawn remains green, healthy, and beautiful no matter the season. This consistency not only preserves the appearance of your property but also ensures that small problems are addressed before they become major issues. 

6. Access to Advanced Equipment and Techniques 

Professional lawn care companies come equipped with state-of-the-art tools and products that most homeowners don’t have access to. High-quality mowers, aerators, and treatment solutions ensure that your lawn gets the best care possible. 

These companies also have access to the latest industry techniques for lawn restoration. This means they can handle a range of challenges that would be difficult for the average homeowner or business owner to tackle on their own. By using the best equipment and methods available, professional lawn care services guarantee superior results that would be hard to achieve without expert assistance. 

7. Environmental Benefits 

A healthy lawn does more than just look good; it also benefits the environment. Properly maintained lawns act as natural air filters, absorb carbon dioxide, and produce oxygen. They also help prevent soil erosion and reduce surface runoff, which can lead to water pollution. 

However, maintaining an eco-friendly lawn requires a delicate balance of water, nutrients, and pest control. Professional lawn care providers understand how to optimize these factors to create a healthy lawn while minimizing the environmental impact. From eco-friendly fertilizers to efficient irrigation practices, they can help you maintain a sustainable lawn that benefits both your property and the environment. 

Instead of struggling with the demands of lawn maintenance, let the experts at Crewcut handle everything. With decades of experience serving New Zealand's residential and commercial clients, we know how to keep your lawn in top shape, all year round. Get in touch with Crewcut today for expert lawn care services tailored to your needs. 

For many New Zealand homeowners, having a lush, green lawn is a point of pride and an integral part of creating an inviting outdoor space. Whether you're building a new home or simply transforming your current yard, growing a lawn from scratch can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to enhance your property. However, achieving the perfect lawn requires planning, patience, and attention to detail. This guide will walk you through every step of the process, from selecting the right grass seed to ongoing care, ensuring your lawn is set up for long-term success.

1. Choose the Right Grass for Your Climate and Soil

The foundation of any successful lawn begins with selecting the right type of grass seed. Not all grass varieties thrive in the same conditions, so it’s essential to choose one that matches your local climate, soil type, and the specific needs of your property.

In New Zealand, the most popular grass types for residential lawns include:

• Ryegrass:

  Known for its durability and rapid growth, ryegrass is a popular option for colder regions like the South Island. It’s also resistant to wear and tear, making it ideal for high-traffic areas.

• Fescue:

  This drought-tolerant grass thrives in both dry and shaded areas, making it suitable for warmer regions like the North Island. It’s also relatively low maintenance, requiring less frequent mowing.

• Kikuyu:

  A fast-growing, heat-tolerant grass that excels in full sun. Kikuyu is a top choice for coastal areas and northern climates, though it does require regular mowing to keep it under control.

Once you've chosen the right grass for your region, it’s important to test your soil. Healthy lawns require well-draining, nutrient-rich soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. You can purchase a soil test kit from your local garden center, and if your soil is too acidic or alkaline, consider amending it with lime or organic compost.

2. Prepare Your Soil for Planting

Proper soil preparation is critical to ensuring your grass seeds establish strong roots. Begin by clearing the area of any weeds, rocks, or debris. For best results, spray any existing weeds with a non-residual herbicide at least two weeks before planting to prevent them from competing with your new grass.

Once the area is cleared, till the soil to a depth of about 10–15 centimeters. Tilling helps to loosen compacted soil, which encourages better water absorption and root growth. If your soil is particularly heavy or clay-rich, mix in organic matter like compost or sand to improve its structure and drainage.

After tilling, level the soil with a rake to create an even surface. This step is essential for preventing water from pooling in low spots, which can drown your seedlings.

3. Sowing the Seeds

Now that your soil is ready, it’s time to sow your grass seed. For optimal results, aim to plant your lawn in early spring or autumn when temperatures are mild, and there is plenty of moisture. In New Zealand, these are the ideal seasons for seed germination due to cooler days and warmer nights.

To achieve even coverage, divide your seed into two equal parts. Sow the first half in one direction (for example, north to south) and the second half at a 90-degree angle (east to west). This cross-hatch method ensures no areas are missed. You can spread the seed by hand for small lawns, but for larger areas, a broadcast spreader will provide more consistent results.

After sowing, lightly rake the soil to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. Then, use a roller to press the seeds gently into the soil. This step is crucial to prevent the wind from blowing seeds away or birds from eating them.

4. Watering Your New Lawn

Proper watering is the most important factor in seed germination. Immediately after planting, water your lawn lightly to moisten the soil. Avoid drenching the ground, as this can cause seeds to wash away or become waterlogged. 

For the first two weeks, keep the soil consistently moist by watering lightly once or twice a day, depending on weather conditions. After seedlings begin to emerge, reduce watering to 2–3 times per week, but increase the amount of water each time to encourage deep root growth.

Keep in mind that over-watering can be just as harmful as under-watering. Too much water can lead to fungal diseases, so aim for a balance where the top few centimeters of soil remain moist but not soggy.

5. Mowing and Fertilizing Your Young Lawn

Once your grass reaches a height of about 7–10 centimeters, it’s time to mow for the first time. Set your mower to the highest setting to avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass blade at a time. This promotes healthy growth and prevents stress on the young seedlings. 

Mowing regularly encourages the grass to thicken, but resist the urge to mow too frequently in the early stages. Allow your lawn to establish deeper roots before you begin a regular mowing routine.

After the first mow, it’s time to fertilize. Choose a slow-release, nitrogen-rich fertilizer specifically formulated for new lawns. Fertilizing at this stage gives your grass a nutrient boost, helping it grow strong and resilient.

6. Ongoing Maintenance: Weed Control and Aeration

As your lawn matures, ongoing care will keep it looking its best. Weeds can be a persistent problem, especially during the first year, so consider applying a post-emergent herbicide once your grass has grown strong enough to tolerate it. Alternatively, hand-pull weeds in smaller areas to avoid using chemicals. 

Aerating your lawn annually is another essential maintenance task. Over time, foot traffic and mowing can cause soil compaction, which restricts root growth and water absorption. Aerating helps to relieve compaction, allowing air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots more effectively.

7. Enjoy Your Perfect Lawn

With careful planning, regular maintenance, and a bit of patience, your lawn will gradually transform into a beautiful, green space you can be proud of. Whether it’s a place for the kids to play, an area for entertaining guests, or simply a stunning feature of your property, a well-cared-for lawn is a valuable asset for any New Zealand home. 

Creating a perfect lawn takes time and patience. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately. If you’d like help creating or maintaining your lawn, Crewcut’s team of lawn care experts is here to help. Get in touch with us today for a personalized consultation and take the hassle out of lawn care.

As winter comes to an end and we ring in the spring season, it’s crucial to effectively prepare your lawn ahead. After all, proper spring lawn care sets the foundation for a healthy, vibrant yard throughout the year. If you don’t know where to start, we’ve rounded up 15 simple steps for you to ensure your lawn doesn’t just look pretty but also remain healthy:

1. Evaluate Your Lawn:

Begin by assessing your lawn’s current condition. Step back and look for bare patches, thatch buildup, weeds, and any signs of disease or pest damage.

2. Clean Up Debris:

Remove any debris such as leaves, twigs, and branches that have accumulated over the winter. This allows sunlight and air to reach the soil and promotes healthy growth.

3. Rake Thatch:

Thatch is a layer of dead grass and roots that can build up and prevent water, air, and nutrients from reaching the soil. Use a thatch rake to gently remove it, especially in areas where it’s more than half an inch thick.

4. Aerate the Soil:

Aeration helps alleviate soil compaction and allows water and nutrients to penetrate deeply. Rent or purchase a core aerator to perforate the soil, particularly in high-traffic areas.

5. Overseed Bare Patches:

Spring is an ideal time to overseed bare or thin patches in your lawn. Choose a high-quality grass seed that matches your existing grass type, and follow proper seeding techniques for best results.

6. Fertilize Appropriately:

Apply a balanced fertilizer with a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K) ratio suitable for spring. This promotes strong root development and lush green growth. Make sure to follow the package instructions of your selected fertilizer for proper application rates.

7. Control Weeds:

Early spring is the time to tackle emerging weeds before they become established. Use pre-emergent herbicides to prevent weed seeds from germinating, and spot-treat any existing weeds with post-emergent herbicides as needed.

8. Adjust Mower Height:

Set your mower blades to a height that allows grass to grow taller. Taller grass shades the soil, reduces water evaporation, and helps prevent weed growth. Avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass blade length at a time.

9. Water Wisely:

Proper watering is crucial for a healthy lawn. Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth. Early morning is the best time to water, minimizing evaporation and allowing foliage to dry before evening.

10. Edge Garden Beds and Walkways:

Define borders between your lawn and garden beds or walkways by edging. This creates a neat appearance and prevents grass from encroaching into areas where it’s not wanted.

11. Monitor for Pests and Diseases:

Keep an eye out for signs of pest infestations or diseases such as brown patches or discolored grass. Early detection allows for prompt treatment, minimizing damage to your lawn.

12. Mulch Garden Beds:

Apply a layer of organic mulch to garden beds to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and enhance soil health. Mulch also adds nutrients to the soil as it breaks down over time.

13. Prune and Trim Trees/Shrubs:

Spring is an excellent time to prune trees and shrubs to remove dead or diseased branches and shape growth. Proper pruning promotes healthier plants and enhances their aesthetic appeal.

14. Clean and Sharpen Tools:

Ensure your gardening tools are clean and in good condition. Clean blades and sharpen cutting edges to make tasks easier and prevent the spread of diseases between plants.

15. Create a Maintenance Schedule:

Develop a regular maintenance schedule to keep your lawn healthy throughout the spring and beyond. Schedule tasks such as mowing, fertilizing, and watering to ensure consistency.

By following these 15 simple steps for spring lawn care, you can nurture a lush, green lawn that enhances your outdoor space. Each step plays a crucial role in promoting the health and vitality of your turf, ensuring it remains resilient against weeds, pests, and environmental stresses. Invest time and effort now, and you’ll reap the rewards of a beautiful lawn throughout the seasons to come.

Remember, for more detailed guidance or specific questions regarding lawn care products or techniques, consult with our local gardening expert or extension service in your area. Alternatively, you can contact us for any queries.

Maintaining a beautiful lawn and garden is a source of pride for many homeowners. However, the decision of whether to tackle these tasks yourself or hire a professional can be challenging. While DIY might seem like a cost-effective solution, professional lawn mowing, and garden care services offer several distinct advantages that can greatly enhance the appearance and health of your outdoor spaces. Let’s dive into the numerous benefits of choosing a professional over a DIY approach.

Time and Effort Saving

One of the most significant benefits of hiring a professional is the amount of time and effort it saves you. Lawn care and gardening involve a range of tasks that can quickly add up, from mowing and edging to weeding and fertilizing. These tasks can be particularly time-consuming if you have a large yard or a complex garden layout.

Professional lawn care services have the expertise and equipment to complete these tasks efficiently. This means you don’t have to spend your weekends working in the yard or struggling with outdated or inadequate tools. Instead, you can enjoy your free time while experts handle the heavy lifting.

Stress Reduction

Gardening and lawn maintenance can be more stressful than they seem. From coordinating schedules for mowing and weeding to dealing with the physical demands of the work, managing your yard can become a significant source of stress.

By hiring a professional service, you eliminate this stress. Professional take care of all the details, from scheduling to execution, allowing you to enjoy a beautifully maintained garden without the associated headaches. This peace of mind can be invaluable, especially if you lead a busy lifestyle or simply prefer not to deal with the hassles of garden maintenance.

Cost-effectiveness

Although it might seem like hiring professionals is a more expensive option, it can actually save you money in the long run. Consider the costs of purchasing and maintaining high-quality equipment like mowers, trimmers, and other tools. Professionals come equipped with the latest and most effective tools, eliminating the need for you to invest in these items yourself.

Moreover, professionals have the knowledge to apply the right treatments and techniques for your specific lawn and garden needs. This can prevent costly mistakes and potential damage that might occur from improper care or incorrect use of equipment.

Consistent Results

Achieving consistent results with DIY lawn care can be challenging, especially if you lack experience or knowledge about horticulture and landscaping. Inconsistent care can lead to patchy grass, overgrown shrubs, and a generally unkempt appearance.

Professionals provide reliable, consistent results every time. Their expertise and experience ensure that every aspect of your lawn and garden is attended to with precision. From maintaining the right mowing height to ensuring proper fertilisation and pest control, professionals deliver a level of care that is difficult to match with DIY methods.

Expertise and Knowledge

Professional lawn and garden care services bring a wealth of expertise and knowledge to the table. They understand the specific needs of different plants, grasses, and soils, and they are trained to handle a variety of garden challenges. Whether it’s dealing with pests, identifying nutrient deficiencies, or implementing seasonal care practices, professionals have the skills to manage your garden’s unique requirements.

This expertise also extends to the use of specialised equipment and techniques. Professionals are adept at using the latest technology and best practices to ensure your lawn and garden receive optimal care.

Safety Considerations

Lawn care and gardening can sometimes involve physical risks, such as handling heavy equipment or dealing with potentially harmful chemicals. Professionals are trained to operate equipment safely and follow industry best practices to minimise risks. They also adhere to safety regulations and use protective gear, reducing the chance of accidents or injuries.

Tailored Services

Every lawn and garden is unique, and professional services offer tailored solutions to meet your specific needs. Whether you require regular maintenance, seasonal cleanups, or specialised treatments, professionals can create a customised plan that aligns with your garden’s requirements and your personal preferences.

Choose Crewcut

Why spend your weekends working on your lawn and garden when you could be enjoying them instead? At Crewcut, we specialise in providing top-notch lawn mowing and garden care services that deliver exceptional results. Our professional team is dedicated to enhancing the beauty and health of your outdoor spaces, ensuring that your home looks its best all year round.

Don’t let lawn maintenance become a chore. Contact Crewcut today and discover how our expert services can transform your garden. Call us now and let us take care of all your lawn and garden needs, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a beautifully maintained outdoor space!

New Zealand’s lush landscapes and unique biodiversity make our backyards not just a personal retreat but also an important part of our environment. As we become more conscious of our ecological footprint, sustainable lawn care has emerged as a key practice for homeowners. By adopting eco-friendly practices, you can maintain a vibrant, healthy lawn while supporting the local ecosystem. Here are some tips from Crewcut, to help you achieve a greener more sustainable backyard.

Choose Native Plants and Grass

One of the most effective ways to promote sustainability is by incorporating native plants and grass into your backyard. Native species are well-adapted to New Zealand’s climate and soil, requiring less water and fewer chemical treatments. Consider grass like New Zealand’s native tussock or Carex species, which are not only hardy but also provide a natural habitat for local wildlife.   

Practice Organic Lawn Care

Switching to organic lawn care products reduces the risk of chemical runoff, which can harm local waterways and wildlife. Organic fertilisers and pest control solutions promote healthier soil and plants. Composting kitchen and garden waste to create your fertiliser is another excellent way to enrich your lawn naturally.

Water Wisely

Water conservation is crucial in sustainable lawn care. Water your lawn early in the morning or late in the evening to minimise evaporation. Installing a rain barrel can help you collect and reuse rainwater for your garden.

Mow Smartly

Regular mowing is essential, but how you mow can make a difference. Set your mower blades higher to encourage deeper root growth and reduce the need for frequent watering. Leaving grass clippings on the lawn returns valuable nutrients to the soil, acting as a natural fertiliser.

Reduce Lawn Size

Consider reducing the size of your lawn by adding more garden beds, shrubs, or trees. This not only cuts down on water and maintenance but also increases biodiversity in your backyard. Planting native shrubs and trees can provide shade, reduce soil erosion, and create habitats for birds and beneficial insects.

Aerate Your Lawn

Aeration helps to improve soil health by allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deep into the soil. This process alleviates soil compaction and promotes strong root growth. For the best results, aerate your lawn in the spring or autumn when the grass is actively growing.

Mulch for Moisture

Applying a layer of mulch around your plants and garden beds help retain soil moisture, reduce weed growth, and improve soil fertility. Organic mulches, such as bark chips, straw, or grass clippings, decompose over time, adding nutrients to the soil.

Embrace Biodiversity

Encouraging a variety of plants and flowers in your garden supports a diverse ecosystem. Planting a mix of flowers, herbs, and vegetables can attract beneficial insects, birds, and pollinators. This not only enhances the beauty of your backyard but also creates a natural balance that reduces the need for chemical interventions.

Sustainable Landscaping

Incorporating sustainable landscaping principles can have a profound impact on your lawn's environmental footprint. Use permeable materials for pathways and driveways to reduce runoff. Design your garden with contouring and swales to manage water flow naturally.

Educate and Involve Your Community

Sharing your sustainable lawn care practices with neighbours and community groups can amplify the positive impact. Participating in local environmental initiatives or garden clubs can provide you with additional resources and support for maintaining an eco-friendly backyard.

Sustainable lawn care is not just a trend but a necessary shift towards preserving New Zealand's unique environment. By implementing these eco-friendly tips, you can enjoy a beautiful, healthy lawn while contributing to the well-being of our planet. Crewcut is committed to helping you achieve a greener backyard with our range of sustainable lawn and garden care services. Together, we can create a more sustainable future, one lawn at a time.

As the vibrant hues of summer start to fade away, and the cool breeze of autumn sets in, it’s essential to transition your lawn care routine to keep your outdoor space looking lush and tidy. In New Zealand, autumn brings its own set of challenges and opportunities for lawn maintenance. With proper care and attention, you can ensure that your lawn remains healthy and beautiful throughout the season. Here’s a guide to help you navigate autumn lawn care in New Zealand.

Assess and Prepare

Before diving into autumn lawn care tasks, take some time to assess the current state of your lawn. Look for any signs of damage, disease, or nutrient deficiencies. Addressing these issues early will prevent them from worsening as the season progresses. Additionally, clear your lawn of any debris such as fallen leaves, branches, or other clutter that may inhibit growth.

Mowing

During autumn, adjust your mowing schedule to accommodate the slower growth rate of grass. Raise the cutting height of your mower slightly to allow the grass to retain more moisture and withstand cooler temperatures. Aim to keep your lawn at a consistent height, typically between 2.5 to 3 inches, to promote healthy growth and discourage weed development. For professional assistance, reach out to Crewcut – we’re the experts.

Aeration

Autumn is an ideal time to aerate your lawn, especially if it experiences heavy foot traffic or compaction issues. Aerating helps alleviate soil compaction, improves water and nutrient absorption, and promotes root growth. There are plenty of lawn aeration tools on the market, but not everyone has the time or energy for this lawn care task. If you need a hand with lawn aeration, contact Crewcut for help.

Overseeding

Overseeding in autumn can help fill in bare patches and thicken your lawn. Choose a high-quality grass that is suitable for your region and existing turf type. Before overseeding, aerate the lawn to create openings for the new seeds to establish themselves. Follow up with regular watering to ensure proper germination and growth.

Fertilization

Applying a slow-release fertilization in autumn provides essential nutrients to support your lawn’s health during the cooler months. Look for fertilizers specifically formulated for autumn application, with a balanced ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to avoid over-application, which can lead to nutrient runoff and environmental damage.

Weed Control

Autumn is a perfect time to tackle weeds before they become established. Apply a selective herbicide to target broadleaf weeds while sparing the grass. Be sure to choose a product that is safe for your specific grass type and follow the application instructions meticulously to achieve optimal results.

Watering

While rainfall typically increases in autumn, it’s still important to monitor soil moisture levels and supplement with watering when necessary. Aim for deep, infrequent watering sessions rather than frequent shallow watering, which can promote shallow root growth and fungal diseases. Water early in the day to allow the grass to dry before nightfall, reducing the risk of disease. You can find more on the dos and don’ts of watering your garden here.

By following these autumn lawn care tips tailored to New Zealand’s climate and conditions, you can maintain a lush and tidy lawn that enhances the beauty of your outdoor space. Remember to adapt your lawn care routine as the season progresses and stay proactive in addressing any issues that arise. With proper care and attention, your lawn will thrive through autumn and beyond, providing you with a picturesque backdrop to enjoy year-round.

For personalised advice and assistance with your lawn care needs, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Crewcut, the experts in Lawn & Garden care. Our experienced team is dedicated to helping you achieve your lawn goal, whether it’s tackling weeds, aerating the soil, or rejuvenating tired patches. With our knowledge and passion for maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces, we’re here to ensure your lawn remains healthy and vibrant throughout the changing seasons.

At Crewcut, we’re committed to using our skills to help others where we can. This is why a couple of weeks ago, we donated some of our time to give BirdCare Aotearoa Wild Bird Hospital a much-needed lawn makeover.

BirdCare Aotearoa holds a special place in our hearts. As a charitable organisation and DOC (Department of Conservation) permitted wildlife rehabilitation centre, they play a crucial role in caring for injured New Zealand wild and native birds. Their highly professional and experienced team cares for over 6,000 birds annually, including many endangered species.

But BirdCare can’t do it alone. They rely on the support of volunteers and the generosity of the community to continue their vital work. That’s where Crewcut stepped in to help where we know best, the lawns. Our team rolled up their sleeves and got to work, tackling the overgrown edges of the lawn. It was great to see the transformation unfold before our eyes.

We understand the importance of a well-maintained environment for rehabilitation centres like BirdCare Aotearoa. A clean and tidy space not only enhances the centre’s appearance but also play a crucial role in the well-being of the birds. By clearing the overgrown hedge and rejuvenation of the lawn, we hope this creates a space where birds can thrive and recover more comfortably.

Crewcut’s collaboration with BirdCare Aotearoa is just one example of how businesses and communities can come together to make a positive impact. We are immensely grateful for the opportunity to do our part in lending a helping hand and support the incredible work BirdCare Aotearoa does.

Your lawn’s needs in summer can dramatically differ from its needs in winter. You can go from seeding and feeding to tackle the drought conditions to barely needing to water the lawns at all!

However, unless you’re a lawn care expert, you might not know exactly what the transition from summer to autumn lawn care can look like. We’ve included some helpful advice below:

Raise Your Cutting Height

Autumn is not quite the season for putting your mower into hibernation. We’re still treated to a few good days here and there! However, you’re likely not far away. While you might have mowed your lawns quite short in summer, you may like to start raising the height in autumn. Try to keep the lawn height at around six to eight centimetres.

The taller your grass is, the more shade your soil gets and the more moisture it can retain. This can be helpful as the weather becomes cooler and drier.

Start Fertilising

Your lawns will likely need a little helping hand during the cooler months of the year. As soon as summer turns to autumn, venture to your local garden centre and purchase a fertiliser with a decent amount of potassium. The potassium content will strengthen the grass roots and make them more tolerant of the upcoming cold weather.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for when and how to apply the fertiliser. Most manufacturers recommend putting it on your lawn around mid to late autumn.

Aerate Your Lawn

The cooler, wetter weather in autumn can take a real toll on your soil and grass. When your lawn is water-logged and sees plenty of traffic, it’s often not long until the soil is packed down. When it’s compacted, it’s not able to access vital nutrients, air, and water. This can dramatically affect grass growth!

Fortunately, when you add lawn aeration to your autumn to-do list, that doesn’t have to be a problem. Aerating your lawn with a manual aerator or an aerating machine involves putting multiple small holes into the soil. Grass roots can then get everything they need to thrive and create healthy, strong grass blades.

Overseed the Bald Patches

Summer is not always kind to our lawns. After lawn games and general use, it’s not uncommon for a few bald patches to appear. The good news is that they don’t have to be there forever. Autumn is an excellent opportunity to overseed your lawn and enjoy new growth in the seasons ahead. 

Simply choose a grass seed blend that suits your region and spread it evenly over the existing lawn to help it blend in. Don’t forget to water it regularly so it has a chance to germinate and establish. If you have pets, do your best to keep them off new grass for around two or three weeks to give your lawns a fighting chance of survival.

Adjust Your Watering Schedule

Unless there have been water restrictions in place, you may have been watering your lawn throughout summer to stave off drought conditions. After all, the more water your lawn gets, the more luscious and green it is!

Autumn is the best time to start adjusting your watering schedule. The cooler temperatures are about to set in, and evaporation rates will reduce. Your lawn will still need water, but you can water deeply and more infrequently.

Get Rid of the Lawn Weeds

Weeds are one of the most frustrating things about being an avid gardener. It can sometimes feel like you spend more time ripping out weeds than actually tending to the plants you want! Your lawn is no different. They, too, can succumb to pesky lawn weeds.

Autumn is an ideal time to be focusing on eradicating lawn weeds. Purchase selective herbicides that minimise harm to your lawn while still giving lawn weeds their marching orders. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations and avoid applying on windy days.

Remove Leaves

As beautiful as autumn is, it can also be messy. Fallen leaves can end up all over your property, smothering your lawns and putting them at risk of disease. Get into the habit of raking or removing leaves often. You might even consider investing in a leaf blower to make it a fast, easy, and fun task!

Alternatively, leave them on your lawn and use the mulching feature on your lawn mower. The smaller leaf litter can function as a natural compost.

Leave Autumn Lawn Care to the Experts

Autumn lawn care might be necessary to keep your yard in tip-top shape, but that doesn’t mean you have to do it! You can contact the friendly team at Crewcut and get a helping hand. Our lawn care experts can help with a range of autumn yard tasks, like lawn mowing, tree trimming, water blasting, and more.

With shelf upon shelf in your average garden store dedicated to lawn fertilisers and pesticides, it’s only natural to be overwhelmed. You can be even more confused when you realise synthetic and organic/natural options exist. Which should you choose and why? You may be more inclined to choose organic lawn fertilisers and pesticides for these reasons:

Better for the Environment

There’s more than effectiveness and convenience to consider when buying lawn fertilisers and pesticides. Environmental-friendliness can also be an essential consideration. Organic fertilisers and pesticides are far better for the environment than their synthetic counterparts. They tend to have natural ingredients like plant extracts, compost, manure, and bone meal. These ingredients are biodegradable, meaning you don’t have to worry about chemicals being in the soil for decades to come.

In contrast, synthetic lawn and garden products can be harmful. They may leach chemicals into the soil and waterways. Studies have even found that excessive fertiliser and pesticide use can contribute to soil degradation, a decline in water quality and availability, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

Enhanced Soil Health

While synthetic lawn fertilisers and pesticides contribute to reduced soil health, organic varieties do the opposite. They can often improve soil structure and even enhance microbial activity. This, in turn, can result in better soil health and fertility. After swapping to organic lawn care products, you may see more helpful organisms like beneficial bacteria and earthworms.

Safer Wildlife and Pets

We do everything in our power to keep our pets safe, such as ensuring adequate fencing and booking regular vet checks and vaccinations. Yet, many pet owners take these actions before releasing them into a yard with synthetic and potentially poisonous lawn fertilisers and pesticides.

These products can be hazardous to health and may also cause skin irritation if touched. You don’t tend to have to worry as much with organic products. While you should still take care with pets around organic fertilisers and pesticides, the risk of harm is generally much lower.

To Ward Off Lawn Diseases

Lawn diseases can be frustrating for yard-proud homeowners. All your hard work can go down the drain when lawn fungus or creatures take hold. While organic fertilisers and pesticides may not prevent diseases, they can play a role in warding them off.

Organic fertilisers, in particular, work like booster shots. You can enjoy beneficial soil microorganisms that help your lawn access the necessary nutrients. Healthy, strong lawns are much less likely to succumb to disease.

Slow Release

Synthetic fertilisers and pesticides are typically fast-acting. There is also a risk of runoff, nutrient leaching, and nutrient imbalances.

Organic fertilisers work a little differently. They tend to release nutrients slowly and decompose over time. Plants then get to enjoy a steady flow of nutrients when they need it. In essence, this can mean that plants get more of what they need, with less going into the surrounding environment.

Better Sustainability

Organic lawn care products are all about giving your lawns and plants a healthy foundation. When they are strong enough to take care of themselves, they can be more resilient in the future. This can mean that a small amount of effort with organic lawn fertilisers and pesticides in the beginning can mean less later on.

What is the Best Organic Fertiliser for Lawns?  

You might know that organic fertiliser is the best option for your lawns, but that doesn’t mean you know what to buy. Whether you’re looking for a fertiliser for vegetables, trees, plants, or lawns, look for products with these critical components:

• Blood and bone

• Sulphur

• Magnesium

• Calcium

• Trace elements  

How to Create Your Own Natural Pesticides

While your local garden store likely has many organic pesticides to choose from, you can also make them yourself using everyday pantry ingredients.

Anyone with aphid and caterpillar problems may see the value in garlic mixed with dish soap and water. It has a pleasant odour and takes care of those pesky insects. If you have fungal problems, baking soda can be the answer. It can be a recipe for success when mixed with vegetable oil, dish soap, and water.

Even beetles and mites can be given their marching orders with household products. Vegetable oil mixed with mild liquid soap sprayed onto the affected plants can often be effective. The moral of the story is that you don’t always have to reach for harmful chemicals to get rid of nasty bugs and diseases threatening your plants and lawn.

Ask Our Lawn Care Experts

If you have lawn care-related questions like the best organic lawn fertilisers and pesticides, our lawn care experts are here to help! You can also rely on them to provide a range of lawn care services like lawn mowing, weeding, gardening, tree trimming, and more.

Some customers are happy to hire a lawn care service provider without seeing their previous work. They will often sign on the dotted line as long as the lawn care worker has the right tools for the job and a competitive price.

However, that’s not the case for all customers. Commercial clients and yard-proud homeowners want to be sure that the person they choose to look after their property is skilled, experienced, and professional. But how are you supposed to showcase your best lawn care projects to win more clients without taking them to see the properties you’ve worked on? You may like to take some of these approaches:

Create Portfolios

If you’re trying to obtain more high-value clients for lawn care tasks like lawn mowing, hedge trimming, and tree pruning, consider creating professional portfolios for these services. Get into the habit of taking before and after photos of current client work and write down important details about them.

Once you have all the information you need, you can arrange your work into a physical or digital portfolio. You can hand out physical portfolios to potential new customers and upload them to your website for potential customers who stumble across your website.

Create a Website

Speaking of websites, make sure you have one! As of 2022, only a little over half of New Zealand businesses have a website. Just 75% have an email address, and 53% have social media. If you’re not online with 94% of the New Zealand population, you risk not being able to show potential customers what you’re capable of!

Whether you already have a website or plan to create one, dedicate a page to your work. Share a gallery of images and include information about the tasks you completed and any challenges you had to overcome.

Use Social Media

Many lawn care customers follow lawn care providers on social media for helpful advice. However, there’s no reason why you can’t use your platform to showcase your best projects. You never know; a homeowner or business owner might see what you’re capable of and call you to help with their lawn care needs!

Keep your social media platforms active with before and after photos of your latest projects. Share information about what the customer requested and what you did. Don’t be afraid to blow your own trumpet in pursuit of those fresh new leads!

Collect Customer Testimonials

We Kiwis aren’t always good at saying positive things about ourselves. If you struggle to talk about the advantages of you and your business, let your customers do it for you! Collect customer testimonials that you can publish on your website, social media, ads, and within your portfolios.

Sometimes, customers can be unsure about hiring a new lawn care provider because they don’t know anyone using your services. If you have genuine customer reviews for them to read, they may feel more confident in their decision to give you a go!

Attend Local Events

Showcasing your best lawn care projects doesn’t only have to happen when someone has approached you, curious about your offerings. You can evoke interest in what you have to offer at local events.

Consider booking a stall at a local event and offering branded merchandise, leaflets, and brochures. You might even display some of your lawn care equipment to show customers what they can expect you to use when you provide lawn care services on their property.

Sometimes, being in front of potential customers before they even realise they need your services can be the motivation they need to act.

Don’t Forget About Marketing and Branding

While word of mouth is a powerful form of advertising, it’s not the only tool you have at your disposal. Put time and effort into marketing and branding, and you might reap the rewards.

Create a website and social media platforms, buy social media and Google ads, and invest time, effort, and money in SEO for paid and organic growth. Create and use consistent branding materials across all online and physical marketing avenues to help potential customers remember your name.

By building up a following and reputation, you may find that it’s much easier for potential customers to see your lawn care projects and want to utilise your talents for themselves. If you work for yourself and don’t have the time or skills to prioritise marketing, outsource this task to a marketing company. However, if you own a franchised lawn care business, you may enjoy plenty of head office support to set you up for success.

Start Winning More Clients

There’s no denying that winning new clients can be challenging, but it’s possible with effort. Start showing off your best lawn care projects using these tips above. It may only be a matter of time until you’ve expanded your client base and can take your business to new heights.

As beautiful as large, sprawling gardens and lawns are, they are generally not a match made in heaven for busy homeowners. While stunning to look at, they can be time-consuming to maintain. They can also quickly become overgrown and jungle-like when left to their own devices.

Being a time-poor homeowner may mean you can’t always have your dream garden, but it doesn’t mean you can’t have a beautiful yard that you’re proud to call yours. Explore some of these low-maintenance landscaping ideas below for an eye-catching space that requires minimal upkeep.

Grow Drought-Tolerant Plants

Plants that require intensive watering to stay alive can be hard work. Busy homeowners don’t always want to be outside, wrangling with a hose to stop their prized plants from dying. Fortunately, the average plant nursery has many different varieties of beautiful drought-tolerant plants to choose from.

If you grow plants like Dietes, Lamb’s Ears, Poor Knights, and Japanese Iris, you can enjoy a beautiful, thriving garden with minimal intervention.

Install Automated Irrigation Systems

While you might not have time for regular watering, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t own plants that require frequent watering. Install an automated irrigation system, such as a soaker hose or drip irrigation. These watering systems are designed to ensure your plants receive consistent moisture without you having to play a part in providing it.

You can simply set up the system and let it work its magic. You’ll then be able to enjoy healthy, vigorous plants that take care of themselves.

Create Rock Gardens

While soil-heavy gardens are aesthetically pleasing, they typically require a great deal of maintenance. This is especially true if you need to add mulch and break up the dirt to help your plants thrive.

Creating a rock garden would spell the end of that time-consuming task. Install rocks in your garden and plant drought-tolerant plants between them, like succulents and grasses. Rock gardens are easy-care and attractive. The rocks also help by retaining moisture, meaning you’ll rarely have to worry about watering the plants.

Grow Groundcover Plants

Weeding is undoubtedly one of the most time-consuming parts of tending to a yard. It can sometimes seem like they grow back as soon as you pull them out! However, weeding might nearly be an activity of the past if you were to grow ground cover plants.

Ground cover plants like New Zealand Cushion Bush, New Zealand Daphne, and Baby’s Tears can form a barrier against weed invasion. As the plants are taking up all available growing space, there’s no room for weeds to thrive.

Install Hardscapes

Plants, even the low-maintenance variety, can be hard work. Even lawns need at least a small amount of care, like regular mowing. If you have limited time to dedicate to living plants, install hardscapes. They can be aesthetically pleasing while also reducing how much green space you have to tend to.

There are many different hardscape elements and materials to choose from, such as decks, patios, pathways, pavers, and gravel. Hardscapes are also the perfect option for lock-and-leave properties you may not visit frequently.

Try Artificial Turf

While artificial turf won’t suit everyone, it may be ideal for homeowners with small yards who want to say goodbye to lawn mowing for good. Artificial turf can look like natural grass but looks perfect without any fertilising, watering, or mowing.

However, it’s important to be aware of its drawbacks. Many homeowners find that artificial grass can be hot to walk on in the summer, is expensive to install, and isn’t the most eco-friendly option. You may be better off installing natural turf and hiring a lawn care expert to tend to it for you.

Build Raised Garden Beds

Garden beds cut into lawn areas can look beautiful, but they aren’t always the most convenient option for busy homeowners. They require edging, weeding, and ongoing care. It’s also not uncommon for plants to grow out of control.

You may be able to enjoy the same plants but with less maintenance by building raised garden beds. You can fill them with high-quality soil to reduce the need for constant soil improvement. Plants can also grow in a controlled environment, with weeding being a faster and more manageable task.

Grow Perennial Plants

Replanting your favourite plants can be time-consuming. You might enjoy how they look, but not how much time they take to produce yearly. Grow perennial plants, and that can be a problem of the past. Perennial plants grow year after year without needing to be replanted. There are many different varieties to explore, like Achillea millefolium, Ageratum houstonianum, and Campanula lactiflora.

Outsource Yard Care to the Experts

You don’t always have to design a low-maintenance yard to match your busy schedule. Instead, you can create your dream garden and lawn area and outsource its care to the experts. Contact lawn mowing and gardening experts like Crewcut today so you can admire your beautiful slice of paradise without having to lift a finger.

The world is your oyster when you’re a lawn care service provider. You can tend to residential lawns, tackle commercial lawns, or take care of lawn care-related tasks like hedge trimming and garden tidyups.

However, branching out or changing direction can require forethought and planning. If you’re considering exploring new markets and are unsure if residential or commercial lawn care is a better option, consider the following information.

Residential Lawn Care

Residential lawn care is a service provided to homeowners and tenants. Private property dwellers can contact you to book lawn mowing and other related services so they don’t have to tackle these tasks themselves! There are many advantages and challenges to consider before entering the residential lawn care market, including the following:

Advantage: Large Customer Base

There are undoubtedly more residential properties than commercial ones. As a result, there’s potential for you to build a much larger customer base when working for residential customers.

Challenge: Seasonal Demand

The colder months of the year can be challenging for some lawn care service providers. Demand for lawn mowing and other services can drop, meaning you must get creative and offer additional services to retain consistent income. Fortunately, many seasonal activities can help fill your days, such as leaf clearing, gutter cleaning, water blasting, and garden tidyups.

Advantage: Service Flexibility

Residential customers don’t always just want a lawn mowing service. They also often request other yard services like hedge trimming, tree trimming, garden tidyups, and water blasting. Every day can be varied when you’re catering to a broad range of residential customers.

Challenge: Price Challenges

Many residential clients can be more sensitive to pricing than business customers. You may be required to offer the sharpest possible price, even if it means you have a much smaller profit margin. However, most customers also see the value of your service reflected in the quality of your workmanship. The more detail-oriented you are, the less price-sensitive your customers might be.

Advantage: Flexibility

Lawn care, in general, is a flexible industry. As your own boss, you can work your own hours and enjoy being able to attend activities that may not be possible if you worked a standard 9-5 job. However, residential lawn care tends to be more flexible than commercial lawn care. In most cases, you can schedule jobs at any time of the day. Commercial lawn care service providers often have to schedule them around when a business is or isn’t open.

Commercial Lawn Care

Commercial lawn care involves providing lawn care and related services to commercial companies, businesses, and organizations. You typically undertake all tasks related to ensuring the outdoor environment of business premises is well-maintained and beautifully landscaped.

There can be several advantages and challenges to consider before entering the commercial lawn care industry, including:

Advantage: Income Stability

Many commercial customers hire lawn care service providers on a long-term agreement. You can enjoy consistent, regular income for the period of that contract. This can provide much-needed peace of mind that you’ll always receive a set sum of money, even if your other customers’ needs fluctuate.

Challenge: Competition

Competition is fierce among well-established commercial lawn care providers. It can sometimes be challenging for newcomers to take a slice of the market. Fortunately, sound marketing practices can help with that. If you work for a reputable company and prioritize digital marketing, you may find it easier to make a name for yourself and, subsequently, land some of those coveted commercial jobs!

Advantage: Consistent Demand

There is generally consistent demand for commercial lawn care. Businesses want their premises to look tidy year-round, not just during the warmer months. Your workload may not be reduced in the colder months as it sometimes is with residential lawn care.  

Challenge: Licencing and Insurance

Some commercial clients require anyone working for their business to have special insurances and licences to work on their premises. While likely not challenging to obtain, these insurances and licences can add another cost to your lawn care business. However, they can also help you stand out from other lawn care providers.

Advantage: Opportunities for Referrals

Some business companies can be so happy with your workmanship that they refer you to other business owners they know. What can begin as one commercial relationship can blossom into multiple. Before you know it, you can have several commercial businesses on your books with minimal marketing effort.

Are You Ready to Explore Commercial and Residential Lawn Care?

Many advantages and challenges can be associated with residential and commercial lawn care. If you’re unsure which side of lawn care you’d be interested in, review the information above. The more you know about what to expect, the easier it might be for you to make an informed decision about the type of lawn care business you’d like to buy or start.

You might know that your lawn isn’t looking as healthy as it could be. But that doesn’t mean you know how to solve the problem. Aimlessly purchasing lawn health products from your local garden centre isn’t always the answer. But do you know what might be? Aeration.

Lawn aeration involves poking small holes into your lawn to let air, nutrients, and water travel to the roots. You might enjoy many of these astounding benefits when you add lawn aeration to your weekend to-do list:

No More Compaction

Soil compaction has a lot to answer for. When the soil layers underneath your grass are packed closely together, there are very few openings for essential nutrients, water, and oxygen. Without these crucial goodies, your grass roots can grow shallow and malformed. Eventually, your grass can start to discolour, succumb to diseases, and die.

Soil aeration can be a game-changer for homeowners struggling with soil compaction. By poking small holes into the lawn with an aeration tool, you can let water and nutrients flow freely for robust and healthy grass.

Better-Looking Grass

When you look at your neighbour’s bowling green-like lawns, do you become the green-eyed monster? You can have that desirable lush, green grass when you spend time aerating it. As the roots spread out and strengthen, your lawns can grow more densely, resulting in thicker and greener foliage. Before long, it can be your neighbour looking at your grass with envy.

Increased Disease Resistance

Soil compaction weakens your lawn’s root system. A weakened root system can make your grass more susceptible to common lawn diseases like brown patch, dollar spot, and crown rust. However, when you spend time aerating your lawn, it now has access to all the oxygen, nutrients, and water it needs. This is a recipe for disease resistance and health!

Better Weed Control

Most of us don’t love spending our free time pulling weeds out of the lawn. Frustratingly, it can even seem like as soon as you’ve gotten rid of the weeds, more show up to take their place! Why not let your lawn take care of its own weed control?

When you aerate the soil to promote healthier grass growth, there can be less room for weeds to grow. A thick, dense patch of lawn says ‘no room at the inn’ to those pesky weeds.

Drought Tolerance

Summers can be intense here in Aotearoa New Zealand. Depending on where you live, you can go several days or weeks without decent rainfall. Grass won’t last forever without rain or regular watering, but aeration undoubtedly makes it more robust to last the distance.

Remember, soil compaction causes your grass to grow shallow roots. When you address the soil compaction issue, those roots grow longer and can access moisture further into the ground.

Reduced Runoff

Our lawns can only handle so much water when it rains before it starts puddling on the surface. However, you’re bound to notice far more surface flooding with compacted soil. Layers of tightly packed dirt let in far less water than porous, well-aerated soil.

After spending time aerating your soil, you’re bound to notice a difference. The more porous your soil is, the more water it can absorb!

Water Savings

Many proud gardeners don’t like watching their lawns suffer in the warmer weather. Before water restrictions are imposed, they set up sprinklers and spend time watering their grass to give it a chance to make it through the drought conditions.

You might enjoy incredible water savings by setting aside time for soil aeration. Well-aerated soil and grass with longer root structures typically need less water than shallow-rooted grass in compact soil.

More Helpful Critters

We don’t look after our lawns on our own. Beneficial organisms like aerobic bacteria, earthworms, and soil insects often give us a helping hand. These critters can set off to greener pastures when the soil is too compacted for them to enjoy. However, you might be welcoming them back with open arms when you aerate your soil. These organisms thrive in oxygen-rich soil and can be crucial for your overall soil health.

Increased Street Appeal

Proud homeowners want their properties to stand out for all the right reasons – whether they’re on the market for sale or not. That can be challenging when your lawn looks a little worse for wear. Spending time aerating your soil to get it back in tip-top shape can undoubtedly help with street appeal.

Need Help With Lawn Aeration?

There are plenty of lawn aeration tools on the market, but not everyone has the time or energy for this lawn care task! If you need a hand with lawn aeration, contact the experts for help. There are plenty of lawn mowing and yard care experts near you ready to get stuck in and help you achieve that perfectly lush, green lawn.

Thumb through the pages of garden magazines published a decade ago through to today, and you can’t help but notice dramatic changes in how people present their gardens. Like most things, gardens go through trends. The type of garden you prefer today might not even be the type you would have chosen for your property just a few years ago.

Out of curiosity or a desire to transform your yard, you might be eager to know what’s on the horizon for 2024. Allow us to fill you in on some of the most popular lawn and garden trends for 2024 and beyond.

Naturalistic Planting

Naturalistic planting describes arranging plants in an area to simulate a natural environment. You might grow grasses in gravel or ferns in a woodland-like setting. There are no twines, stakes, or any signs of intervention. You just let your garden…be.

Naturalistic planting isn’t for everyone. Essentially, you’re giving up control to Mother Nature and letting her do her thing. It’s an organised form of chaos that can take some getting used to.

But let us be the first to say that naturalistic planting has its place. You’re free from constant maintenance. You can let your plants go to seed and enjoy the many insects, birds, and bees that choose to call it home. You can also enjoy peace of mind knowing you’re doing your part for the environment. Pollinating insects and soil can live their best lives.

Easy Maintenance

We lead busy lives. When we’re not busy working 40 hours a week, we’re running errands and trying to make memories with our families. That can leave little time for home maintenance. That’s why many families are choosing to design yards that require minimal upkeep.

Hardscapes are now taking up more space in our yards than ever before, and some homeowners are even opting for fake grass rather than having natural grass they have to mow. Of course, time-poor nature lovers still have the option of outsourcing lawn mowing to a lawn care company.

Lighting…Everywhere

Gardens have always been something we’ve enjoyed during the day. At night, they’re essentially off-limits. It’s not exactly easy to enjoy something you can’t see.

That’s perhaps why one of the latest trends has been garden lighting. It also doesn’t hurt that there have been some incredible advancements in solar technology. You can illuminate your garden with an array of fairy lights, path lighting, and post lights without having to wire them into your home’s power supply. Now, homeowners enjoy their yards at all times of the day and night.

Native Plants

There is such an incredible range of non-native plants that suit our regions beautifully. We don’t think twice about buying plants that don’t even originate here. However, many people now realise how easy-care, robust, and beautiful our native plants are. It’s now not uncommon to explore the average well-manicured garden and see a selection of NZ native plants.

From phormium species flaxes that take centre stage in a modern garden to Corokia that will withstand harsh conditions like frost, wind, and drought, you’d be surprised by what we have available right here in little ol’ Aotearoa. New Zealand libertia species iris is also popular in exposed places, while hebe thrives in sunny, free-draining soil.

Organic Gardens

The average proud homeowner can face many challenges when it comes to garden and lawn health, like fungal diseases and pest insects. It’s only natural to reach for the first pesticide or herbicide you can find, but moods are changing.

We are becoming less quick to buy the first product we see and more quick to start researching the best options for our soil, plants, and environment. More importantly, we’re learning how crucial it can be for us to reduce our environmental impact and how harmful the average insecticide and weed spray can be for soil, water, grass, and vegetation.

Fortunately, there are a number of organic products on the market featuring natural ingredients. They still perform the task of eradicating pest insects or fungal diseases but without the same environmental impact.

Battery and Electric-Powered Tools

On the average sunny Saturday morning, it’s not uncommon to be awoken by someone mowing their lawns in the distance. Lawn mowing is a standard part of our weekend chores. But it’s starting to look a little different.

Instead of hearing the roar of a petrol-powered mower coming to life in your neighbourhood, you’re more likely to spot someone mowing the lawns with an electric or battery-powered mower. They’re so quiet that it can sometimes look like they’re mowing with the engine turned off.

Battery and electric-powered tools for lawn mowing and yard activities are more common than ever. It also doesn’t hurt that many power equipment companies are now creating batteries that you can swap between line trimmers, lawnmowers, and hedge trimmers.

Jump On This Year’s Trends

Some of the most common lawn and garden trends for 2024 are proving to be some of the best yet. Enjoy a more convenient, beautiful, and easy-care lawn and garden by trying out some of these trends in your own yard!

Bare spots in a lawn can be frustrating. It can seem like no matter how much you try to look after your grass, it can become covered in unsightly bald patches that feel impossible to combat.

While you might not have a picture-perfect lawn immediately, it might not be long until you do. Sometimes, you just have to take some of the steps below:

Step 1: Know Why You Have Bare Spots

It can be a losing battle if you repair bare spots in your lawn before you determine why they’re there. Even if you solve the problem, the bare spots might appear before long since you haven’t identified and rectified the cause!

Unfortunately, a number of things can be at the root of the problem, pardon the pun. We’ll cover a small amount of detail about these below.

Overuse

If your lawns are a playground for pets and children, overuse can be a common cause of bare spots. You might even experience bald spots from lawn furniture and lawn games.

Frequently walking or running on the lawn can result in soil compaction. When the soil is pushed down flat, the grass roots can’t access the nutrients, sunshine, and oxygen they need. Without those vital nutrients, the grass can die and leave behind those very noticeable bald spots.

Diseases

Our lawns can be susceptible to many different lawn diseases when they aren’t in the best health, like red thread, brown patch, and dollar spot. Red thread is, as the name suggests, red threads. Your lawn can have irregular patches of dead grass with red/pink colouring caused by the disease’s fungal spores.

Brown patch is also quite common. It’s a fungal disease that turns your grass brown, with the roots appearing black. Dollar spot is another one to look out for. It presents as small brown dollar-sized patches on your lawn and is common from spring to autumn.

Pests

Just as you can encounter pests in your garden, you can also find them in your lawn. Some of the most common ones are caterpillars and grass grubs.  

Pet Urine

As much as we love our four-legged friends, they can devastate the average lawn. The nitrogen in their urine can kill off grass.

Deficiencies

A high pH, a low pH, and not enough nutrients can take its toll on a lawn. Lawn becomes weakened until bare spots start to form.

Step 2. Solve the Problem

Once you’ve identified the cause of your lawn woes, you can put a plan in place to address it. This should happen before you take steps to repair your lawn. For example, you might buy products from your local garden store to eliminate grass grub or water down your dogs’ urine when they use the grass as a toilet.

Step 3. Prepare the Bald Patches

Preparing your lawn’s bald patches for new grass is an essential step in the process. Rake the dead grass from the bald area and use a small fork or similar tool to loosen the soil’s top layer. Water the patch until the soil is wet.

If you notice that the bald area is lower than the rest of your lawn, you can place a layer of topsoil on the top. Finally, rake the soil to level it out and spread some over the edges into the healthy grass so new growth won’t be so obvious.

Step 4: Sow Your Grass Seed

Visit your local garden store and find grass seed to match your lawn. If you’re unsure what type of grass you have, take a picture of it to take with you. Your local garden expert will do their best to identify it and provide you with the right seed.

You can then scatter the seed onto the bald patches and ensure the whole area is covered. Finally, rake it gently to mix it into the soil and water it with a watering can or soft sprinkler.

Step 5: Help Your Seeds Grow

Grass grows without much help, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t need your support during its growth process. You’ll need to deeply water the bald patches every 2-3 days, making sure not to wash the seeds away.

During its growth phase, it’s also important to fence off the area to stop pets and children from disturbing the seeds. As the grass grows, you’ll be able to start mowing it once it’s around five centimetres tall.

Let Someone Else Take Care Of Your Lawns

Lawn care can be time-consuming. Whether you lack time, patience, or knowledge, there’s no harm in outsourcing this job to someone else! You can hire a lawn mowing and gardening expert to take care of everything from lawn mowing and gardening to hedge trimming and everything in between.

It doesn’t matter where in Aotearoa New Zealand you live, the general consensus is that winters can be tough. Home weather stations can be in overdrive, measuring all that rainfall, and it can feel like you barely get a break from winter before the windy and wet spring season begins.

These harsh weather conditions can wreak havoc on our properties, particularly our lawns. If the longer days of spring have you contemplating time in the garden, here are a few helpful tips for getting that lawn looking better for the warmer weather ahead.

Start with the Debris

Before you even think about mowing your lawns, turn your attention to debris. The wet and wild wintry weather can see all manner of sticks, stones, leaves, and landscaping materials scattered throughout your lawn.

Take the time to rake your lawns to get rid of all that messy debris. Not only will your grass look better, but it will stand a better chance of receiving much-needed sunlight and oxygen to thrive.

Mow With Care

That first mow of spring is always the most pleasant. However, it can also be the most damaging if you don’t do it properly. If you plan to mow the grass yourself rather than hiring the experts, set the mower height at one of the highest levels before you get started.

You should aim to cut no more than one-third of the grass’s height to avoid shock. This gives your lawns a chance to recover properly. Provided the grass isn’t too long, you might also decide to leave the clippings on the grass as a natural fertiliser. Just don’t forget to spread them out evenly!

Prioritise Aeration

Winter conditions can be incredibly cruel to grass. The soil can become compacted when walked on, making it challenging for the grass roots to access air, water, and sunshine. Now that the warmer weather is on its way and your grass is entering its essential growth phase, make aeration your priority.

Aerating the lawn involves using spiked shoes or a proper aerating tool or machine to insert small, regular holes into the soil. These holes allow water and air to get where needed to help your grass grow healthy and strong.

Start Seeding and Fertilising

Not everyone’s lawns make it through winter unscathed. Overuse when it’s wet, pests, and diseases can see your lawn looking patchy and sad once spring rolls around. If your grass isn’t as healthy as it could be, start spring on the right foot with seeding and fertilising.

Overseed the patchy parts of your lawn and give your grass a health boost with a slow-release fertiliser. Pick one with a balance of potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen. If you’re unsure which fertiliser your lawn needs, talk to your local lawn care expert for help.

Work On Those Weeds and Pests

Pests and weeds love to take advantage of grass when it’s at its weakest and most vulnerable. Before long, your lawn can be overrun with weeds, grass grubs, and other pests. These can be both unsightly and damaging, so make them your priority this spring.

If you only have a few lawn weeds to take care of, you can cut these out by hand or with weed-grabbing tools. Otherwise, consider selecting weed killers from your local garden store. Always follow the instructions for use to ensure a desirable outcome.

You can also purchase pest control products to give pesky pests like grass grubs their marching orders.

Start a Watering Schedule

There’s still plenty of rainfall in spring. This can mean you don’t need to start a new watering schedule immediately. However, the best watering options are worth considering once rainfall isn’t so frequent.

Watering deeply and infrequently can often be the recipe for success. This watering style encourages your lawn to grow deep roots to access water further down. As a result, the grass is often less affected by drought conditions.

If you’re worried about future droughts and water restrictions, explore rainwater harvesting systems. Collecting water from your roof might ensure your plants, gardens, and lawns have consistent access to water even when you’re not able to tap into local supplies.

Perform Soil Tests

Growing healthy and strong grass can sometimes be challenging when you don’t understand what your lawn lacks and needs. Fortunately, you don’t need to play the guessing game. Perform a soil test, and you can have all the answers for maintaining a healthy lawn.

Most garden stores provide simple tests for you to learn what your soil pH and nutrient levels are. With this knowledge, you’ll know whether it needs nitrogen, potassium, or other nutrients to help it thrive.

Start Lawn Tidying Today

As hard as it can be to shake off the winter blues, you can start with your lawn. Take some of the actions above, and it might not be long until your lawns are back in tip-top shape. Need a helping hand? Reach out to lawn care experts like Crewcut to take care of all your lawn care and gardening needs.

It’s easy to assume there is no right or wrong way to water your lawn. If it looks thirsty, give it a drink! However, any lawn care expert will tell you that lawn watering can be a bit of an art form! Water it right, and it will likely thrive. Get it wrong, and you could have a very unwell lawn on your hands.

With that in mind, we’re here to help you become a lawn-watering master. We’ve included some helpful ‘dos and don’ts’ to help you get started on your watering journey.

Don’t Water At Night

We’re often told to water our gardens when the sunshine is at its lowest intensity. This can mean watering early in the morning and later in the evening to ensure plant roots get to keep as much moisture as possible.

You might assume the same rules apply to your lawn, but they don’t. In fact, watering your grass at night can cause some pretty frustrating problems!

First of all, you’re at risk of disrupting natural plant activity. Plants undertake a ‘transpiration’ process, which helps them get the necessary moisture and maintain their temperature. They draw water up through their roots and evaporate it from the leaves during the day.

Watering your gardens at night means the pores on the leaves can’t open. After all, it’s not daytime! When they can’t evaporate the moisture, they can start to rot or succumb to disease. 

Fungal and bacteria growth is another problem you might have to contend with. Grass that is wet for an extended period can be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. You might then notice unsightly brown patches, among other issues.

Do Water in the Morning

Knowing that watering your lawns in the evening is a bad idea, you’re likely curious about when you can water them. Morningtime is preferable. This can be especially true during the warm summer months.

Watering before the sun’s heat starts to linger gives your lawns a chance to enjoy as much water as possible. Yet, the grass blades still have a chance to dry off. It’s a win-win situation!

Don’t Water Your Lawns Every Day

You might think you’re doing your lawns a favour by watering them daily. The more water they get, the healthier they are, right? Not quite.

Frequent watering tells your lawns that they don’t need to worry about growing long roots because water will always be available. This can sometimes mean they’re more likely to die or be severely impacted by drought conditions.

Many towns and cities put no watering rules in place when water supplies get low in summer months, which means you can’t continue your same daily watering routine unless you have your own rain barrel supply. However, if you were to water your lawns more infrequently, like every second or third day, your grass roots can grow longer. They do this in their search for water. The longer the roots are, the stronger they are and the less impacted they can often be when not watered frequently.

Do Water Your Lawns Evenly

If some parts of your lawn look like they need more water than others, it can be tempting to water one area for a longer time than another. You might even assume that having a lawn irrigation system with sprinklers means your entire lawn will enjoy even watering.

However, even watering is in your lawn’s best interests if all lawn is getting the same amount of sunshine. Even with an irrigation system in place, keep an eye on how much each part of your lawn is getting to ensure your entire lawn has equal opportunity to thrive. You can do this by placing a container under each sprinkler. Take note of how even the water levels are in each container. If some areas receive more water than others, adjust your system as needed.

Don’t Overwater Your Lawn

You’d be surprised by how many people overwater their lawns by accident. They can then find themselves with disease-ridden grass when that water can’t evaporate before night falls.

However, overwatering is easy to do when parts of your lawn are in shaded areas. Typically, the colder side of your property, or lawn shaded by structures and trees, doesn’t need as much as a grassy area in full sun.

Do Ensure You’re Watering Enough

The warmer months of the year can be brutal on lawns, even if you’ve practiced infrequent watering to promote healthier, longer, and stronger roots. If you’re still allowed to water your lawns in summer, perform the screwdriver test to ensure they’re getting enough.

This test involves penetrating a screwdriver down into the ground about 15 centimetres. If you can drive it down that far, your lawn is likely fine and doesn’t need any water. If you struggle to reach down that far, your grass could do with a drink!

Do You Need Lawn Watering Help?

We get it: lawn care is time-consuming. Who knew there could be so much involved in lawn watering? If you need a helping hand with this task or even some friendly advice, you’ll surely find a lawn care expert near you willing to offer assistance.

Many people prefer to hire lawn care experts not only to save time but also to save hassle. Alongside mowing the lawns yourself, you must also ensure your lawn mower is in tip-top shape. It can be a frustration that many people would prefer to be without!

But some people would prefer to handle lawn mowing themselves. The only thing holding them back from hauling the mower out of storage is not understanding how they should look after it. The good news is that we can help! We’ve provided some helpful information below to help you give your lawn mower the tender, loving care it deserves.

Purchase Maintenance Gear

Most new mower owners find the most overwhelming part of mower maintenance is knowing what they need to keep their mowers in tip-top shape. Once you have all the essentials for both maintenance and basic repairs, it can be smooth sailing! We recommend having a maintenance kit with the following:

• Safety gloves

• A socket set for removing parts

• Lawn mower oil

• A spare spark plug

• A spare set of blades (or equipment to sharpen your blades)

• WD40

• Rags

• A soft brush

• A wire brush 

Clean Your Mower

You likely already have plenty of things you need to keep clean, like your car and home. Add your lawn mower to your ‘must-clean’ list. The cleaner your mower is, the easier it can be to maintain. At a minimum, clean your mower before you undertake maintenance.

This can be pretty easy to do with the items you purchased in your maintenance kit – the rags and soft brush. Wipe away grass, dirt, and debris so you’ve got clean surfaces to work with!

Important note: Always disconnect the spark plug and ensure the throttle is off before performing any kind of mower maintenance.

Lubricate Moving Parts

Lawnmowers put up with a lot. They have many moving parts, which can be prone to stiffness and damage when not taken care of. Take your handy-dandy can of WD40 and spray it over moving components like the height adjustment lever, the throttle cable, and the wheels. Clean excess lubricant away once you’ve finished the job.

Take Care of the Spark Plug

Some people think their mowers are destined for the rubbish dump because they’re not running properly. Sometimes, they won’t go at all! Often, the problem is a part that costs under $20: the spark plug.

When you’re gearing up for another growing season, get into the habit of checking the spark plug. You might also check the spark plug if your lawn mower doesn’t start, is using more fuel than usual, takes a long time to start, or loses power when moving.

If the spark plug is worn down or damaged, replace it with a new one. Otherwise, cleaning it with a wire brush before reinstalling it might be all it takes to have your mower working at its best once more!

Take a Peek At the Air Filter

Air filters might not be something you can see on a lawn mower at a glance, but they’re important to check! Pop off the cover and clean the air filter underneath with a brush. If it’s too dirty to clean with a brush, replace it. Most air filters are under $20 and are designed to prolong the engine life, increase fuel efficiency, and reduce emissions.

Inspect Under the Mower

Underneath your mower is where all the action happens. So, it can be essential to see whether the blades are in excellent condition and have no grass build-up. Don’t tip your mower upside down to check. Instead, lean it back far enough so you can see.

If the blades are damaged or worn, replace them. You can also sharpen the blades yourself or take them to your local servicing centre.

Important note: Always wear safety gloves when handling the blades and ensure the spark plug is out and the throttle is in the ‘off’ position.

Check the Fluids

Last but not least, check the fluids. You won’t get far without oil and fuel if you have a four-stroke petrol-powered lawnmower. Top up the oil if it’s low. However, if the oil appears dirty or dark, drain it and replace it.

Now that you’re ready to start mowing, check the fuel tank and add as much fuel as you’ll need to mow your lawns. By only adding as much fuel as you need, you can prevent it from going stale the next time you use it. Alternatively, you can add a fuel stabiliser when the time comes to winterise your mower for the colder months of the year.

Here are some other yard tasks you can take care of when you’re not mowing in winter!

Start Mowing

After performing these important maintenance tasks, you’re ready to start mowing your lawns! Remember, if you’d prefer not to tackle these maintenance tasks, you can sell the mower and hire a lawn care expert to take care of your mowing needs!