PROPERTYSPARK ARTICLE

What to Do With a Teeny Tiny Lawn

A verdant green lawn is the pride of any homeowner — even if that lawn is barely bigger than a postage stamp. Perhaps you live in a condo or townhome with a small plot of lawn that belongs to you, or perhaps most of the landscaping of your single-family home has been xeriscaped. In any case, you have a teeny tiny patch of grass, and you need to care for it properly.

While some homeowners might choose to replace their small lawn with hardscaping, flowerbeds or mulch, you want to preserve your little space of green in all its glory. Here are a few tips and tricks for caring for a small lawn to elevate your home’s exterior without wasting time or space.

Choose the Right Grass Variety

Not all grass is created equal. Different types of grass offer different advantages and disadvantages, and it is important to understand the details before you commit to a specific grass variety in your tiny lawn. For example, some types of grass might be softer to the touch but require a big, bulky lawn mower to maintain. Other types might need to grow taller to stay healthy, which can look unkempt in a smaller plot. You also need to consider your regional climate when making decisions regarding your grass variety, as not all grasses grow equally well in all temperature ranges. It might be wise to talk to a lawn care expert before making this decision, so you know exactly what kind of care your grass type will need.

Invest in Small-scale Tools

As tempting as it might be to invest in the most powerful lawn tools on the market, you definitely don’t need them to maintain a small lawn. In fact, smaller lawn tools are a better investment for you, as they are more easily tucked into small storage spaces, like the corner of your garage or an outdoor bin. Some small-scale tools you will need to care for your lawn include:

Push Mower. This type of lawn mower does not have an engine, meaning your own strength will drive it forward. However, because your lawn is small, it should not tire you out to use this mower variety, and the slim profile of a push mower makes it much easier to store.

Manual Edger. A lawn will spread as far and wide as you allow it, so you will routinely need to cut back its edges. A manual edger looks like a small, flat shovel. To cut into the sod, you use your own weight on the top of the edger, which should sink easily into the turf.

Handheld Seed Spreader. In the springtime, in the fall and whenever you notice a barren patch, you need to spread additional grass seed to keep your lawn lush. A handheld spreader will disperse seed more efficiently than tossed handfuls, and it can be fit on a top shelf unlike other spreading devices.

Shovels and Rakes. You don’t want your small lawn completely covered by yard debris like leaves, sticks or even snow. Basic yard care tools like shovels and rakes will help you keep your lawn looking tidy year-round.

Consider Better Landscaping

How you landscape around your lawn can impact not only how easy it is to care for your lawn but also how your lawn looks. If you want to maximize the appearance of your small lawn, here are a few tips and tricks for the surrounding landscaping:

Dress up the far end of the lawn. On the other side of your lawn from your home, you should introduce interesting landscaping elements that draw a viewer’s eye toward the lawn’s far edge. This helps to elongate your lawn while providing a different focal point in your yard.

Install mirrors. Mirrors hung along your fence and directed toward your lawn can provide the illusion that your lawn is larger than it is. This rare type of outdoor décor could also make your yard feel more unique and integrate well into eclectic, modern and glamorous design aesthetics.

Plant tall hedges. If you can grow tall hedges around your fence line and nestle a gate amidst them, you can hint at a much larger garden that is out of site. This creates a sense of both grandiosity and mystery, which can elevate the ambiance around your small lawn.

You deserve to feel good about your patch of green — after all, it’s all yours. As long as you prioritize maintaining the health and wellness of your entire yard, you can continue appreciating your teeny, tiny lawn for years to come.