Many people spend too much time doing yard work such as mowing the lawn, weeding, trimming, and making sure everything has adequate hydration. According to one estimate, keeping your yard neat and lush would take approximately 17 hours a week. That makes it seem like a pretty worthless chore—particularly if you don’t have that much free time and work out of the home. Yardwork is still necessary for curb appeal. Thankfully the following lawn maintenance tips can save a lot of time and effort:

1. Aerate your lawn
It is a pretty common task that most people do for themselves. It’s important because it helps keep the lawn surface from compacting later on and makes the grass more healthy and attractive. Aerating also makes it easier for the grass to absorb water and nutrients, and it helps to get air into the soil, which helps roots get oxygen and nutrients. Aeration also gets rid of thatch, which is an accumulation of dead plant matter on top of the soil that prevents water from getting through and makes it harder for roots to absorb nutrients.

2. Fertilize and mulch regularly
Fertilization and mulching are probably the essential parts of a lawn. Fertilizing helps to keep the grass growing and the roots healthy. A leaf filter is another way to help your soil stay healthy. It will prevent weeds from growing and add organic matter to your soil, which will help it retain nutrients and get oxygen into the ground. If you want a beautiful green lawn, fertilize regularly with mulching. It’s also essential to apply compost as mulch rather than regular soil. Compost is organic matter and helps add organic matter and nutrients to the soil, making it healthy for plants. It will also add oxygen, which is ideal for grass and helps it grow more quickly. This means the more nutrients and organic matter your soil will have; the healthier the lawn will be. The less fertilizer you use on your grass, the less negative impact it will have on the ecosystem in your yard. Or seek out natural fertilizer such as bone meal, blood meal, fish meal, alfalfa meal, and kelp for more eco-friendly green lawn care.

3. Consider hiring a professional lawn service
Sometimes doing your yard work can be a bit too much. If you’re constantly busy and can’t find a way to keep up with it, the easiest solution is to hire a professional. It may seem unnecessary, but landscapers are well worth the money if they do their job right. Sure, you could do it all by yourself and save money, but by hiring someone to plant, weed, mow, and water for you. Many people think you don’t need to do a lot with your lawn, but consistency is key to a lush lawn.

4. Water early in the day
One of the most important things you can do to mitigate yardwork is to water the grass early in the morning, ideally before the sun has risen. The shorter duration of sunlight hours in autumn and winter means that your grass won’t get as much sunlight during those times. Watering it will make a more significant difference because you’ll give it more water than it otherwise would have gotten. It’s also good to water your grass early to avoid evaporation later. It won’t apply to you if you have a landscaper or someone who cares for your yard. But if you mow your lawn, dethatch, or aerate it yourself, this is for you.

5. Mow high and regularly
Mowing the lawn is probably the most tedious part of yard work, and it has to be done weekly in warmer months. If you don’t mow your grass enough, it will grow too high and get out of hand. And the larger the grass gets, the harder it becomes to absorb water from the gutter guard, so you’ll also need to water more often. Regular mowing will ensure you don’t have to deal with too much grass and keep it cut so that it’s easier to care for. You can mow at any time of day, but the standard recommendation is to mow in the morning. That way, you’re giving your grass time to dry before the sun comes out and dehydrates it again.

These are just a few hacks to help alleviate the amount of time you spend doing yard work. So while every minute is essential in the yard, make sure you’re using those minutes wisely.