Author: Zora Jenkins | Last update: Monday, August 11, 2025
Here's what our experts recommend:
Mow high and regularly. Mowing high produces stronger, healthier grass with deeper roots and fewer weeds and pest problems. ...
Mulch when you mow. ...
Water early and deeply. ...
Fertilize frequently. ...
Test your soil. ...
Don't let leaves pile up. ...
Consider local lawn services. ...
Supervise lawn services.
How to fix neglected yard?
How to Fix An Ugly Lawn Filled with Weeds
Step 1: Test Your Soil. When caring for new or established lawns, it would be best to test the soil. ...
Step 2: Remove Weed and Fungi. ...
Step 3: Reseed Lawns. ...
Step 4: Fertilizing to Maintain Turf Color and Strength. ...
Step 5: Mow Your Lawn Regularly.
How do I make my yard look nicer?
20 Cheap Landscaping Ideas to Improve Your Yard
Plant perennials.
Mulch your garden beds.
Add sustainable hardscaping.
Conserve water with xeriscaping.
Mow less with groundcover.
Lay down roots with native plants.
Upcycle functional landscape decor.
Consider colorful containers.
Why does my yard look so bad?
The two primary problems in a lawn are not enough water and too much shade. It could also be overgrown with weeds. I pull my weeds by hand as I do not like to use toxins that could get into our water supply (we live out in the country and have well water).
How can I make my dirt backyard look nice?
Let's transform your outdoor space into a picturesque haven without burning a hole in your pocket.
12 Cheap Ways to Cover Dirt in Your Backyard.
Wood Chips: ...
Install Sod or Plant Grass Seeds: ...
Artificial Grass: ...
Organic Mulch: ...
Build a Deck: ...
Pavers and Stone: ...
Gravel and Pebbles:
How to FIX an UGLY Lawn with RESULTS - Step by Step for Beginners EASY
What to cover a muddy yard with?
Ground cover plants, gravel, wood chips, pathways, patios, rain gardens, and concrete are effective solutions based on your preferences.
How can I make my small backyard look amazing?
Changing the elevation in your backyard is a solid way to make your space feel bigger. It helps interrupt the space and gives depth to your small area. Easy options include a raised garden bed or planter boxes. If you're feeling a little handier, you could try out an elevated or sunken patio.
How to fix a terrible yard?
Here's what our experts recommend:
Mow high and regularly. Mowing high produces stronger, healthier grass with deeper roots and fewer weeds and pest problems. ...
Mulch when you mow. ...
Water early and deeply. ...
Fertilize frequently. ...
Test your soil. ...
Don't let leaves pile up. ...
Consider local lawn services. ...
Supervise lawn services.
What does an unhealthy lawn look like?
Brown patches in the turf.
Although it is not always immediately clear what precise issue is causing brown patches to appear in your lawn, one thing is clear: brown patches = unhealthy lawn. Brown patches that are random and irregular in shape are often caused by pests like grubs or chinch bugs.
How can I make my backyard look clean?
How to Clean the Backyard: A Step-by-Step Guide
Gather Your Tools and Supplies.
Clear Debris and Clutter.
Clean Hard Surfaces.
Lawn Care.
Trim Trees and Shrubs.
Refresh Garden Beds.
Clean Outdoor Furniture and Fixtures.
Inspect and Repair.
How can I make my yard perfect?
6 Professional Lawn Care Tips to Try Right Now
Sharpen Your Mower Blades. One of the simplest things you can do is also the most effective. ...
Aerate Your Lawn. ...
Mow When the Grass is Dry. ...
Fertilize at the Right Times. ...
Roll Your Lawn. ...
Dethatch Like a Pro.
What is the least expensive way to landscape?
11 Cheap Backyard Landscaping Ideas
Use Mulch Alternatives. ...
Repurpose Old Tires. ...
Go Vertical With Your Gardening. ...
Add a Splash of Color. ...
Plant a Functional Garden. ...
Opt for Natural Perennial Ground Covers. ...
Build an Outdoor Fire Pit. ...
Plant a Tree.
How can I make my yard look tropical?
Here are twelve tropical backyard ideas to inspire the metamorphosis.
Create Layers of Green. ...
Infuse the Space With Soft Lighting. ...
Incorporate Water Features. ...
Upgrade the Seating Area. ...
Attract Wildlife. ...
Install Bamboo Fencing. ...
Build a Tiki Bar. ...
Add Tropical Decor.
How do you fix a dying yard?
Rake the grass seeds lightly into the topsoil to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. Spread a starter fertilizer. Water the lawn twice daily during the first two weeks and apply ¼ to ½ inches daily. Aim to keep the top 1 – 2 inches of soil moist to ensure germination.
How do you fix a bare yard?
Preparing the Soil to Repair Bare Patches in Your Lawn
Loosen the Soil. Turn over the soil using a spade shovel that has a rounded or pointed end. ...
Level the Surface. Use your garden rake to level and create a smooth surface. ...
Spread the Grass Seed. ...
Apply Mulch Covering. ...
Keep Soil Moist Until Seeds Sprout.
How do you fix a bare backyard?
There are several options:
Apply grass seed and fertilizer separately. ...
Lawn patch products combine grass seed, fertilizer and mulch blends in one bag to easily repair grass patches.
Seed germination blankets made from wood fiber keep seeds and soil in place for erosion control.
Sod is an option if it is available.
What is the most common mistake seen when treating lawns?
Most common lawn care mistakes:
Mowing too short: One of the biggest mistakes made when treating lawns is mowing too short. ...
Watering too much or too little: ...
Using the wrong fertilizer: ...
Applying too much fertilizer: ...
Ignoring soil health: ...
Not aerating: ...
Ignoring weeds and pests: ...
Mowing with dull blades:
What does stressed grass look like?
Discoloration: A lawn under a lot of stress will start losing its vibrant color. You may notice that the blades or just the tips get bluish gray or darker green before turning brown. That's because, a stressed-out turf can no longer produce enough chlorophyll to maintain its vibrant, green color.
How do I make my lawn healthy?
4 Ways You Can Help Your Lawn Beat the Heat
Feed Regularly. Within 6-8 weeks of feeding, microbes in the soil have processed most of the nutrients for your lawn to absorb. ...
Mow High. If you cut your grass short, you're short-changing your lawn. ...
Watering. ...
Reseeding and Renovation.
How to restore neglected lawn?
Basic steps for lawn renovation
Conduct a soil test. Contact local county extension offices for information on soil testing. ...
Begin weed control. Use broadleaf herbicides if the weeds are primarily non-grasses. ...
Provide adequate soil moisture. ...
Mow. ...
Remove thatch. ...
Prepare soil. ...
Fertilize. ...
Seed.
Where to start with a bad lawn?
For a terrible lawn, we would want to perform aeration and overseeding as soon as it makes sense. We'd follow that up with a soil test to see what other needs the lawn might have, followed by a full lawn care program including fertilization, and grub prevention. Then, we'd want to aerate and overseed yet again.
Why does my grass look so bad?
Improper mowing or watering habits, too much or too little fertilizer, thatch and compacted soil all increase the chances of disease. To understand lawn disease, you need to understand lawn fungus.
How can I make my yard more appealing?
Small Front Yard Landscaping Ideas for the Ultimate Curb Appeal
Add Planters on Your Front Porch.
Focus on Simplicity.
Use a Single Tree to Create a Statement.
Plant in Layers to Cover the Foundation.
Landscape for Seasonality.
Repetition is Your Friend.
Use Symmetry to Create a Classic, Timeless Look.
Add an Accent Color.
How can I beautify my backyard on a budget?
Build a DIY Deck or Patio. A deck or patio carves out a dedicated space for entertaining in your backyard. ...
Add Paths. Guide foot traffic in your yard with these path ideas. ...
Build a Pergola. ...
Lay Fresh Mulch. ...
Plant a Tree. ...
Start a Garden. ...
DIY Hardscaping. ...
Build a DIY Fountain.
How can I make my backyard smooth?
How to Level a Yard [8 Steps]
STEP 1: Mow Your Lawn. ...
STEP 2: Dethatch Your Lawn [As Needed] ...
STEP 3: Dig up the grass in the sunken area of the lawn. ...
STEP 4: Make Soil Mix: Topsoil, Sand and Compost. ...
STEP 5: Fill Sunken Areas and Holes with Soil Mixture. ...