Lawncare & Landscaping
Lawn care and landscaping designs and ideas
Should I use native plants in my landscaping? Everyone seems to be talking about using indigenous species. Is the hype real?
Growing native plants in your backyard can save you money and time on upkeep, since they are genetically tuned to your climate. Some plants like wet climates, some like dry, some like sunny, and some like shade. If you plant something out of place (for example, palm trees in Massachusetts), you’re going to have a hard time growing it. If you have plants that are mainly from your area, you’ll be able to save all that watering and care that you might otherwise have to endure. I recommend native plants to my clients and I think they’re a great way to keep your unique local fauna in sight.
How often should you mow your lawn?
Unfortunately, there's not a simple answer because it depends on how fast your grass grows. You want to let grass grow to 33% more than its recommended cutting height. What's the recommended cutting height? Each type of grass has a minimum height that you can mow at before the grass becomes unhealthy. Perennial ryegrass is a common grass in the DC area and it has a minimum mowing height of about 2 inches. So it should be cut when it reaches about 2 3/4 inches. Obviously it depends on your exact type of grass and the current weather, but it should be cut probably every two weeks to keep it lush and healthy.