Hi, I'm Isaac, the owner of Ready 2 Mow here in Seminole. A lot of families move into our area, and moving is busy enough without trying to figure out a brand-new yard. If you just got the keys to a home in Seminole, Largo, Kenneth City or one of the beach towns, here's a simple plan for getting to know your lawn in the first few weeks.
Take a slow walk around the whole yard
Before you mow anything, walk every part of the property: front, back and both side yards. Look for things that a mower or trimmer could hit, like sprinkler heads, low tree roots, rocks, landscape lights, hoses and old edging. Some of these are easy to miss when the grass is a little tall.
It also helps to notice where the yard stays wet after rain and where it stays dry. Low spots near downspouts and along fences can get soggy, and that changes how and when you should mow them.
Figure out what kind of grass you have
Most lawns around Pinellas County are St. Augustine, but you'll also see Bahia, Zoysia and some mixed patches. Each type looks a little different:
- St. Augustine has wide, flat blades and spreads with thick runners along the ground.
- Bahia has thinner blades and sends up tall, Y-shaped seed heads.
- Zoysia is finer and feels dense and soft when you walk on it.
Knowing your grass type matters because it affects how high to cut. St. Augustine generally does better when it's kept on the taller side instead of cut short. If you're not sure what you have, take a close-up photo of a few blades and compare it to pictures from a university extension website.
Check the mowing height before the first cut
If the yard has been sitting while the house was for sale, the grass might be taller than normal. Don't try to fix it all at once. A good rule is to never cut off more than about one-third of the blade in one mowing. If the lawn is really overgrown, bring it down over a couple of mowings a few days apart. Scalping it short in one pass can leave brown, stressed spots.
Learn the sprinkler system
Many homes here have an in-ground irrigation system. Find the controller, usually in the garage or on an outside wall, and look at what days and times it's set to run. Previous owners sometimes leave it on a summer schedule. In the cooler months, grass usually needs less water, so it's worth checking.
Local watering rules can apply to which days you're allowed to water, so check with your city or county utility for the current schedule at your address. Also run each zone once and walk around while it's on. Look for broken heads, heads spraying the driveway or street, or heads buried in grass.
Look at shrubs, beds and trees
New homes often come with shrubs that have grown over windows, walkways or the AC unit. Light trimming to keep things off the house and clear of paths makes a big difference in how the yard looks. Pull weeds out of the flower beds by hand, roots and all, and top off mulch if it's thin.
Keep an eye on palm fronds, seagrape leaves and oak leaves too. Depending on what's planted, you might have a lot of cleanup at certain times of the year.
Make a simple routine
Once you know your yard, a basic routine keeps it looking good without much stress:
- Mow on a regular schedule, more often in the warm, rainy months and less in the cooler months.
- Edge along the driveway, sidewalk and beds every time you mow, or every other time.
- Blow clippings back onto the lawn, not into the street or storm drains.
- Do a quick walk every couple of weeks to pick up sticks and check for problems.
- Trim shrubs lightly a few times a year instead of one big hack job.
Ask your neighbors
One of the easiest ways to learn about your new yard is to talk to the people next door. Neighbors usually know when the yard floods, which trees drop the most leaves and how the last owners took care of things. Plus, it's a nice way to say hi.
Need a hand getting started?
If you'd rather spend your first few weekends unpacking instead of mowing, I'd be glad to help. Ready 2 Mow is owner-operated and insured, I haul away yard debris, and I accept all payment types. Quotes are always free. Call or text me at (727) 304-7803, or fill out the free quote form and I'll get back to you. Welcome to the neighborhood!