Is it costing you a fortune to maintain the best lawn on the block? Believe it or not, it is possible to sustain a beautiful yard and flourishing garden without spending too much money. From new mowing techniques to making your own fertilizer, there are many approaches to becoming a frugal green thumb. Below are eight simple ways to save money on lawn and garden care.

1. Mow your own grass. Many busy professionals opt for a grass-cutting service. Although each session may seem inexpensive, this luxury can really nickel and dime you during the warmer months. Mowing your grass may seem like a pain, but it will save money and provide some exercise.

2. Make it a close cut. By setting your lawn mower blade to cut your lawn very short, you can go longer periods of time without cutting it again. This saves you gas and maintenance for the lawn mower.

3.  Take good care of your lawn mower. At the beginning of each mowing season, you should take the time to thoroughly tune up your mower. Clean out the air filter, sharpen the blade and change the oil. Just like your car, a well-maintained lawn mower will cost less in repairs down the line.

4.  Don’t water the lawn too often. If you are merely watering out of habit, you may be unnecessarily running up your water bill. Is rain in the forecast, for instance? Put away the soaker hose and rely on Mother Nature.

5.  Water the lawn during dusk or dawn. Never run the water during the hottest part of the day, as you will lose much of the moisture due to evaporation, which is wasteful and expensive.

6.  Make your own fertilizer. This is quite simple if you start a compost pile. Both eco-friendly and frugal, a compost pile will create nutrient-rich fertilizer for your lawn. It will also serve as a great way to recycle your table scraps.

7.  Only spot treat weeds. If you see a few weeds sprout up here and there, it is prudent to take care of them immediately. However, a few weeds do not warrant weed killer being sprayed all over the yard! You can save money by spot treating the problem. Better yet, use something natural to kill the weeds, such as vinegar. This will not only save money, it will help the environment.

8.  Use handheld tools whenever possible. For smaller projects, try to tidy up your grass and hedges with handheld tools. You don’t always have to drag out the gas-guzzling power tools.

Spring has sprung and we are back to dealing with a growing yard and blossoming plants. This year, enjoy the beauty of your turf without stressing out about extra costs. By following the tips above, you will save money while still maintaining an excellent lawn and garden.

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This is a guest post from Heather Johnson. Heather is an industry critic, as well as a regular contributor on the subject of business credit cards. She invites your questions, comments and freelancing job inquiries at her email address: heatherjohnson2323@gmail.com.