When you avoid common lawn issues such as dehydration and poor soil pH, you go a long way toward keeping a healthy lawn. Following a few simple tips can help you avoid poor grass growth, crabgrass growth, weeds and moles, grubs and other pests. Adopting just a few of these 10 lawn hacks makes yard work easier in the long run:

1. Fertilize and mulch frequently
Fresh soil food helps plants grow and ensures a healthy overall topsoil.

2. Use baking soda to fix soil problems
Coat crabgrass with water, then baking soda to kill it where it grows. You can also mix baking soda with distilled water to make a homemade plant fungicide.

3. Install a rain barrel
Attaching a rain barrel to your roof’s gutter system lets you enjoy the free rainwater to irrigate your lawn. Collecting the rainwater means adding a leaf filter and gutter guard to your gutter system.

4. Utilize ground cover
Plant a ground cover such as clover that quickly spreads and doesn’t require constant mowing. Also, add pebbles, pine chips or other added covering to garden beds.

5. Aerate your lawn
Use aeration shoes to quickly aerate as you walk your yard or purchase a handheld aeration device. This process lets more water get into the soil by opening it up.

6. Plant more trees
You’ll add to the curb appeal of your lawn, plus you’ll help stop erosion in your yard. Trees and shrubs help hold the topsoil in place so that wind and rain don’t redistribute it.

7. Water early in the morning
When you water earlier in the day, you feed the plants for the day plus you do so before the sun comes out to absorb moisture as you place it in the yard. Your grass and plants get to take the water into their roots instead of the sun burning it off. You can also water early in the evening to keep plants happy and soak the lawn with less water.

8. Mow high and regularly
Easily control weeds in the yard by mowing to a height of three to four inches.

9. Leave your grass clippings
While you gather your fall leaves, you should leave your grass clippings in place. They add to the fertilization of your lawn, not to mention, they smell good.

10. Consider hiring a professional lawn service

After taking a few of these tips and ensuring you implement them, hire a pro. The lawn service helps you by mowing, edging, and properly treating your lawn. The service uses professional-grade fertilizers and may also trim hedges to add to your home’s curb appeal while also keeping your yard healthier.

Following these lawn tips can make your yard work easier by maintaining a stunning, lush yard year round without great expense. Other options include planting flowers and creating a xeriscape.