Hi, I'm Isaac, the owner of Ready 2 Mow. When people think about their lawn, they usually picture the front yard. But almost every house in Seminole has a side yard too, and it's often the spot that gets forgotten. It's narrow, it's shady, the AC unit and trash cans live there, and nobody walks through it much. Here's how I take care of side yards, and how you can keep yours looking neat this fall.
Why Side Yards Get Messy
Side yards have a few things working against them:
- Shade. The house on one side and a fence or neighbor's house on the other block a lot of sun, so grass grows thinner and weeds sneak in.
- Moisture. Gutters and downspouts often dump water there, and shady ground dries slowly. That can leave soft, muddy patches.
- Clutter. Trash bins, hoses, ladders and pool equipment pile up, and grass grows tall around and under them.
- Tight space. A full-size mower can be hard to turn around, so it's tempting to skip it.
None of that means your side yard has to look rough. It just needs a slightly different plan than the front.
Clear It Out First
Before I mow a side yard, I walk it and move everything I can. Roll the trash cans out, coil up the hose, and pick up sticks, palm fronds, toys and anything that blew in. Look for sprinkler heads, rocks and roots so you don't hit them. Moving clutter also lets you see the grass that's been hiding underneath, which is usually the tallest and patchiest part.
Mow a Little Higher in the Shade
Grass in shade has fewer leaves catching sunlight, so cutting it short makes it struggle even more. In shady side yards, I keep the mower deck on the higher side. Taller blades help the grass hold on and keep weeds from getting the light they want. And like anywhere else, try not to cut off more than about a third of the blade at one time.
Use the Right Pattern for a Narrow Strip
In a long, narrow side yard, mowing back and forth in long rows down the length of the yard is usually easiest. It means fewer tight turns, which is safer and is gentler on the grass. If the strip is really skinny, a string trimmer may do a cleaner job than the mower. Just keep the trimmer at an even height so you don't scalp the grass.
Trim Carefully Around Equipment
Side yards are where you find AC units, pool pumps, electric meters and gas lines. Be careful trimming around them. I keep the trimmer line a little bit away from AC fins and wiring, and I never blow clippings into the AC unit. A few inches of clear space around equipment looks tidy and helps the AC get good airflow.
Watch the Wet Spots
If a downspout drains into your side yard, you may notice the same spot stays soft after it rains. Mowing over mud can leave ruts and tear up the grass. When it's soggy, I either skip that spot until it dries out or trim it lightly by hand. If water always pools in one place, a simple splash block or extension at the bottom of the downspout can help spread the water out.
Keep Beds and Fence Lines Neat
Many side yards have a strip of shrubs, rock or mulch along the house. Pull weeds by hand when they're small, and trim back any shrubs that are pushing against the house or blocking the walkway. Along fences, trim the grass that grows up against the boards so the line looks crisp.
Clean Up and Haul Away
Once everything is cut, blow clippings off walkways and patios and back onto the lawn, not into the street or storm drains. Bag up the leaves, sticks and fronds you picked up. Then put the cans and hose back neatly so the grass doesn't get smothered again.
Want Help With Your Side Yard?
A clean side yard makes the whole house look better, and it makes taking the trash out a lot nicer too. If you'd rather not deal with it, Ready 2 Mow can mow, trim, weed and haul away the debris for you. I'm insured, I take all payment types, and quotes are always free. Call or text me at (727) 304-7803, or request a free quote here.