What you can do and what should be left to the pros

There’s no shame in knowing the difference between tasks that require more equipment and knowhow and ones you can tackle yourself. But too many of us have learned that the hard way. That’s where this handy list comes in—to save you some time and money in your quest for lawn dominance.

Green Light Tasks—Good To Go

Mowing

This one varies greatly depending on your property and mower, but most people are capable of mowing their own lawns. Even though you may be capable, is your mowing equipment up to the task? You will need the perfect balance of size and power, depending on the size of your lawn, to achieve picture-perfect results. 

In terms of bang for your buck, we recommend a Grasshopper MidMount™ to deliver that quality and longevity. The Model 124V is what we recommend as the best introduction to Grasshopper quality and comfort. They’re easy to use and maneuver, bringing an unmatched cut to mid-sized properties.

If your property has a lot of fence or tree line, you’ll want a Grasshopper FrontMount™ mower. The out-front deck lets you whip in and out of tight spaces, leaving a manicured finish behind. It’s also a must for high acreage, cutting more in every pass. 

Need help deciding which one is right for you? Try out our model chooser.

Aerating Your Lawn

If you have a smaller yard, aerating your turf is quick, easy and keeps grass healthy for next seasons. Whether you choose spiked aeration sandals, a slice aerator, or opt for a heavy-duty core aerator, this annual task is one you can probably do yourself. 

Got a little too much land for manual methods? Grasshopper offers a coreless AERA-vator™ implement that attaches to any FrontMount mower to cover more ground.

Flowers and Plants 

Whether it’s sprucing up your flower beds in the spring, trimming back your bushes or adding color with your planters, gardening offers great DIY projects for every experience level.

Also See

Tips from a landscaping pro

Whether you’re just getting started or whether you’ve been dominating the lawn care game for years—you can always use a few extra tricks up your sleeve.

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Plant a Garden

Starting a vegetable or herb garden is the perfect project for all ages and skill levels. Try out your green thumb and see what fresh foods you can grow in your own backyard. Save on produce, eat healthier and enjoy the fruits of your labor—a triple win.

Debris Cleanup and Leaf Removal

Like most tasks, this depends on aspects of your property, like the number and type of trees on it. If you’ve got a small- to mid-sized yard, get a wide rake and go to town. But you already know that.

If you’re looking to bag up a more serious load of leaves and debris, Grasshopper’s got you covered there, too. Add a PowerVac™ to your Grasshopper mower, and you’ll have the property cleared in no time. 

Red Light Tasks—Call In the Pros:

Irrigation Systems

No matter how many YouTube videos you watch, you likely want to leave this project to the pros. The potential damage could be costly and time-consuming to deal with, so unless you’re experienced in irrigation, we say phone this one in.

Shoveling Heavy Snow

Does winter where you live snow way more than a flurry? You know a manual shovel is going to be back-breaking work. If you have a Grasshopper, attach a Little Bully™, V-Plow or DriftBuster™ implement to your mower to remove feet of snow in a hurry. If not, we suggest calling a pro who does to save a heap of time and energy this season.

Paver Patios and Pathways

If concrete and pavers aren’t done correctly, they can shift and crack, leaving you with an uneven patio or pathway that has to get repaired by a professional in less than five years. You might be left wishing you’d hired a professional in the first place.

Weekend warriors, we salute you. Most importantly, we hope this list saves you some stress down the road.

Sources:

laytonconstruction.com
turfcaresupply.com
pennington.com