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There are so many aspects of buying, owning and maintaining a house that we forget about until something goes wrong. Perhaps one of the most overlooked parts of a home, especially when building new, is the landscaping. With that in mind, we put our heads together to come up with a resource to help guide new homeowners through their first steps of quality yard work.
In this blog, we aim to answer questions like:
- What is the best mower for new homeowners?
- How do you start grass?
- What landscaping equipment do I need?
Mowing Your Lawn: What Every New Homeowner Should Know
One of the first questions to ask as a new homeowner is:
Are you planning to mow your lawn yourself?
Your answer — and your lot size will help determine whether a riding mower or a compact utility tractor is the right fit.
For smaller suburban lawns, a walk-behind or zero-turn mower may be plenty. But if you’ve got more ground to cover — especially with slopes or acreage — a tractor might save you time and effort.
What Equipment Fits Your Acreage?
Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right mower or tractor based on your property size:
- Under a Half Acre:
A push mower is usually sufficient. These are best for small, flat lawns with minimal obstacles. - 1-3 Acres:
A small riding mower or zero-turn mower (like the John Deere Z300 Series) offers speed and maneuverability, especially around landscaping. - 3 to 5 Acres:
A zero-turn mower or lawn tractor (John Deere X300 or Z500 Series) is ideal. These provide wider cutting decks and comfort for longer mowing sessions. - 5 to 10 Acres:
Consider a sub-compact tractor like the John Deere 1 Series (25–35 HP). These machines handle mowing, light loader work, and landscaping tasks efficiently. - 10+ Acres:
A compact or utility tractor is likely the best fit for the job. John Deere tractors between 35–70+ HP are built for serious work — pasture mowing, hauling, grading, and more.
Mowing Practices for a Healthy Lawn
Keep your grass between 2.5 to 3.5 inches. Cutting too short stresses the lawn and invites weeds. As for time of day, mow in mid-morning or late afternoon when the grass is dry and temperatures are cooler. Avoid mowing during peak heat or early morning dew. While time isn’t always on your side, mowing wet grass comes with various risks. It’s best to wait until your lawn is dry. Wet grass can clog your mower, leave clumps, and increase disease risk. Read more in our Wet Grass Blog →
Weed Control Starts with Mowing
Believe it or not, regular mowing is one of your first lines of defense against weeds. Keeping your lawn at the proper height helps shade out weed seeds and encourages thick, healthy turf that resists invasion. Pair mowing with seasonal fertilization and spot treatments for best results.
The Grass
Maintaining a healthy lawn in Tennessee and Alabama starts with regular mowing – and we’re not just saying that because we’re a lawn mower dealer.
All other grass care – including the application of fertilizers and pesticides – is not as effective if the turfgrass is not consistently mowed at the healthiest height for the plant, according to Alabama Cooperative Extension. The type of grass you have should guide your mowing height. For some common grasses in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee:
- Bermudagrass should be mowed at 1-2 inches every 5-7 days
- Tall fescue should be mowed at 2-3.5 inches every 7 – 14 days
- Zoysiagrass should be mowed at 1-2 inches every 10 to 14 days
When mowing, you may wonder about the right type of lawn mower blade for your lawn. Even more important than the lawn mower blade type is the sharpness of the blades. Dull mower blades tear grass rather than cutting it. That leaves the grass leaves ragged and reduce plant growth.
The Mower Blades
Sharpening blades multiple times per season, and replacing them if they are damaged, is critical to maintaining a manicured lawn. Here’s our how-to guide for sharpening blades.
Mulching blades are great for recycling clippings on lawns that are mowed frequently. They have a curved surface and additional cutting edges to cycle grass through the deck and cut it several times before it’s laid back onto the lawn.
High-lift blades, also called standard or 2-in-1 blades, are straight edged and aerodynamic. They work to quickly move grass clippings out of the mower deck.
For more info on the types of blades and what they’re good for, check out our guide here!
Wondering what to do with lawn clippings? Leave them on the lawn if you’re using a mulching blade—they return nutrients to the soil. If bagging, composting is a smart, eco-friendly option.
A Lawn Care Calendar To Make Your Mowing Easier
Follow a lawn care calendar to stay on track with seasonal tasks like fertilizing, aerating, and watering. The University of Tennessee Extension publishes a thorough lawn care calendar. Alabama Cooperative Extension has lawn and garden month-by-month recommendations.
Spring lawncare starts in February, or when the soil temperature averages 55 degrees at 2 inches for several days.
- Consider a preemergence herbicide that gives you a jump start on summer weeds.
- Active ingredients like dithiopyr, pendimethalin or prodiamine are common options.
- Have your soil tested by a lab – like the one at soillab.tennessee.edu.
- This data is a critical first step in determining the best fertilizer for your yard.
- If you have an irrigation system, check to make sure everything is working properly after winter
- Conduct your first mow of the season with sharp blades and a freshly serviced mower, cutting no more than 1/3 of the height of the grass
- Consider applying a granular, slow-release fertilizer if soil test recommendations suggest additional nutrients are needed
Summer lawncare involves maintenance and monitoring, including weed control in your lawn & garden.
- Mow your grass routinely with sharp blades
- Irrigate your lawn if signs of drought stress start to appear – including rolled leaves. Water early in the morning.
- Monitor for nutsedge, goosegrass and other weeds, treating with a postemergence herbicide if needed
- In late summer, monitor for armyworms
- Follow the fertilizer program suggested by your soil test
Fall is the perfect time to overseed thin or bare patches, helping your grass grow thicker and stronger before winter.
- Identify bare spots and evenly spread seed into dry soil immediately prior to rain
- In compacted soils, aerate the ground prior to overseeding
- After overseeding, consider a slow-release formula that supports root development
- Consider raising mowing height by ½ inch or more to prepare the turfgrass for winter dormancy
In the winter when your grass is dormant, do yourself – and your lawn – a favor and get your equipment serviced, including an oil change and deck levelling. That’s the best way to get ahead of the spring mower tune up rush and make sure your mower is ready for the first cut of the season, and every cut after that.
No Grass Yet? Here’s how To Get It Started:
Option 1 (You’re finally finished with the construction of your dream home, but the work is not done—because right now, your lawn is just a big, brown reminder that grass doesn’t plant itself.)
Option 2 (You’re finally finished with the construction of your dream home, but the work is not done—your lawn is a blank canvas, and right now, it’s painted in nothing but dirt and disappointment.)
So where do you start? Establishing turfgrass after building a home starts with understanding your soil. Begin with a soil test to determine pH levels and nutrient deficiencies—this will guide your choice of amendments and fertilizers. For lawn care beginners, this step is essential to avoid wasting time and money on products that won’t work for your specific conditions. Once your soil is prepped, you can now choose between sod or seed. Sod provides an instant lawn and is ideal for erosion control, while seed is more budget-friendly and allows for a wider variety of grass types. In the south’s warm climate, grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia are popular choices for their durability and heat tolerance.
Consistent watering and proper fertilization is key to encourage strong root development and lush growth. Water deeply but infrequently to train roots to grow downward, making your lawn more drought-resistant. Avoid mowing too early—wait until the grass reaches about three inches high. This helps the turf establish itself without stress. With hard work, patience, proper care and maintenance, your lawn that was once screaming “unfinished project” will become a beautiful, resilient part of your new home.
Knowing The Best Tools For The Job
Sometimes, the small details are what really tie a lawn together. Clean landscaping compliments a healthy, evenly mown yard well. There’s more than one way to trim your grass (and shrubs, trees, etc.), and we’ll cover those here.
String Trimmers
Are great when you can’t quite reach certain spots with your mower. These are great tools for cleaning up corners and improving edges for a finely manicured look for your yard. Check out our awesome blog, The Ultimate Guide to String Trimmers, Brushcutters & Accessories for more information.
Hedge Trimmers
Whether you’re a pro plant sculptor or just want your boxwoods to look nice and uniform, every homeowner needs a solid hedge trimmer. Take care of dead or diseased parts of your plants as needed, but late spring is the best time for a full trim. Be sure to research your specific plants to avoid over-trimming and read our blog, The Best Tools, Tips and Timing For Trimming Hedges!
Chainsaws
The weather is unpredictable in the South. Whether it’s for your yearly firewood cutting or you’re cleaning up after a storm, a chainsaw can be your best friend. Different types of saws have different advantages and features, such as weight, battery life, power, bar length, and handle configuration. Consider the type of work you plan to do most often when running your chainsaw before shopping.
Pressure Washer
Driveways, siding and retaining walls are all likely to host some sort of gunk in the southern heat and humidity. Algae, mildew, mold and dirt are no match for a good pressure washer, and especially not when accompanied by the proper chemicals. Always be sure to research recommendations for maintaining the surfaces on your property before pressure washing!
Brands We Offer
STIHL products and services are available at 27 of our 28 locations. ECHO products and services are available at our Dickson store. In addition, EGO electric power equipment is available at our Franklin, TN location, alongside STIHL.
