There's a lot of work that goes into taking care of a lawn, but it's worth it! These tips will help you take care of your lawn throughout the year. Keep your grass healthy and looking good with these helpful hints. Happy gardening.

Mow Your Lawn and Apply Fertilizer During Spring

To make sure your lawn has a green start in the new year, prepare it for the season by mowing and fertilizing it. Start by removing dead grass from last season, then apply fertilizer before mowing your lawn. Enjoy a nice smooth green yard as winter fades into spring. This is a good time of year to plant new grass as well. Fertilizer is essential for the growth of your lawn, so make sure you apply it regularly.

Water Your Lawn and Trim the Edges During Summer

Watering your lawn is extremely important during the summertime. Water it regularly to stay healthy and green, but don't water it too much. Too much water can cause problems of its own. If you're going to mow your lawn in the summer, make sure to do it on a cooler day or in the evening rather than in the middle of a hot day. Remember to trim your edges so everything looks tidy. As you trim your lawn, make sure to keep an eye out for any weeds.

Fertilize the Lawn and Rake up All the Leaves During Fall

Prepare your lawn for winter by fertilizing it and raking up the leaves. Leaves can cause a lot of damage during the months ahead, so get them off your grass before they start to pile up. Fertilizing enables your grass to grow stronger during the cold months, making sure that it looks good when you're ready to start caring for it again. Also, remember to water your lawn, even in the fall, regularly.

Shovel Snow Off Your Sidewalks During Winter

Suppose you live in a climate where there is snow and ice; make sure to shovel your sidewalks and driveway. This will prevent damage to the surface and ensure that no one slips and falls. If possible, apply rock salt or another de-icer before placing the snow onto the grass below. Doing this will keep your lawn green for as long as possible and reduce the amount of time you need to spend caring for your lawn.

Tend to Trees and Shrubs During All Seasons

It's essential to be diligent about caring for your grass. However, it's equally important to care for trees and shrubs on your property. Make sure to fertilize them as well as water them regularly. If you're doing any yard work this year, make sure that you take special care during all four seasons.

Lawns can be a lot of work, but it's worth it to take care of them year-round. Use the four seasons to plan your lawn care, and you'll be able to keep your grass strong and healthy without having too much work on your plate. Check out these helpful tips, and enjoy a nice green yard this year.

The average person spends more than 40 hours per year dealing with their lawn and yard, so it's no surprise that allergies are common. The three main types of pollen allergy are the following: grasses such as rye and timothy; trees such as elms, oaks, maples, and ash; and weeds such as ragweed. While these plants do not cause all allergies in people who live near them or work in their yards or gardens, they account for a significant number of cases each year.

Symptoms of These Allergies

Most of the time, symptoms are mild, and people have no problems. People with this kind of allergy experience itchy eyes, sneezing or a runny nose, hives or rashes that appear on the skin, or scaly patches on the scalp.

But sometimes, reactions are more severe, especially for those with asthma. They may have shortness of breath, wheezing, or chest tightness after being in an area filled with pollen. Sometimes people may go into shock if their body reacts severely to an allergen.

What Makes the Symptoms Worse?

The weather and the amount of pollen in the air determine what people react to. Because heat causes plants to release more pollen into the air, hot, dry summer days cause more problems than cool, humid conditions. Also, when there isn't enough rain, plants don't lose as much pollen in their stamens and thus release more into the wind.

How to Reduce the Symptoms

Understandably, you'd want relief if you have this type of allergy. Several prescription and over-the-counter medications are available to help people feel better and reduce symptoms. The methods listed below can assist you in reducing the adverse effects of allergies on your health:

• Another way to deal with allergies is to have plants in your yard that act as buffers. Trees are the most beneficial to pollen allergies because they do not drop as much allergenic pollen but produce it. If you are allergic to ragweed, a large maple tree, for example, would be beneficial. For grass allergies, try planting some fragrant plants. They will absorb wind-borne pollen before it reaches your home or yard and cause problems for your family members who are allergic to this type of allergen.

• Get immunotherapy (allergy shots) with a purified allergen extract injected under the skin every two weeks for three years or so. The treatment can lessen your sensitivity to allergens and cause fewer symptoms during those times when the pollen count rises outside.

• Use antihistamines, which inhibit histamine production in the body.

• Always wash your hands before you eat after working around any plant life.

• Keep windows closed as much as possible during seasons when pollen counts are high.

Best Plants to Have in Your Yard if You’re Allergic to Grass

One good option is rhododendrons because they grow fast and provide a thick barrier on either side of an entryway or both sides of a window.

Or consider growing Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii), a deciduous shrub with yellow flowers in spring and berries that remain a bright red in winter. It does not produce pollen, and its dense branches prevent wind from passing through to the house's window screen.

Bottom Line

If you are allergic to lawn clippings, you should consider having them mulched or bagged up for disposal. You can also consult with landscapers about ways to reduce the amount of pollen emitted by trees surrounding your home. This may include pruning them in specific ways during the pollen season. If your allergies persist despite your efforts, consult an allergist about other treatment options.