Yard work is hard—it’s not just talking about raking leaves. Weeding, trimming hedges, picking up sticks from the lawn; these chores take time and can result in some seriously sore muscles. Keeping a healthy lawn is important because it minimizes poor grass growth, weeds, and other lawn issues. Also, clean, healthy grass will mean less mowing and less fertilizer necessary for the health of your lawn.

Here are a few hacks that’ll make your yard work easier this season:

1. Aerate your lawn
Aerating your lawn is a healthy practice that’ll save time and money in the long run. Aeration helps with air circulation and will keep your lawn healthy by allowing water to penetrate the soil more easily. Aeration will also help reduce thatch build-up, which is a layer of dead grass that builds up around the roots of your grass. If you’re aerating for the first time, use a plug aerator with five-millimeter hollow tines.

2. Water early
Watering your lawn early in the day has benefits. The grass is dry at night, so you don’t get a “matted” look underneath the mower. Also, it means that you can get in the yard and state water without mowing first. If the lawn needs additional water, use your sprinklers or hand-held sprinklers to apply 50-100% of your normal watering amounts. You’ve probably heard the advice “water your lawn before it’s dry.” That is good advice. Your lawn needs water to survive and grow. If the water table is low or in a drought situation, it’s better to hydrate your lawn during daylight hours when you can see your grass.

3. Fertilize and mulch frequently
To grow your grass, you’ll need fertilizer and water. Fertilizer will help power your grass’s growth, which means it’ll need nutrients to keep up with the new growth. Although over-fertilizing can cause your lawn to turn yellow (a result of nitrogen burns), drought conditions can cause a lack of nutrients in the soil, so fertilize during the growing season for healthy growth. Mulching your yard is also important for keeping moisture down and making your yard look tidy.

4. Mow high and regularly
Mowing your lawn is a lot like trimming your beard. You want to make sure that you do it regularly (at least once per week) or end up with a bald lawn that’s not looking its best. Mowing high is also important. You want to cut as much off as possible so that more of the grass is visible and good-looking. This will make your yard look neat and prevent weeds from growing in the bare spots.

5. Consider hiring a professional lawn service
Ultimately, getting a bit of help from a professional lawn service will make your life easier. If you have the time and energy to do your yard work. However, if you’re relying on “off-season” grass to fill in the bare spots or your yard isn’t looking its best, it might be worth paying someone else to take care of things for you. Professionals can also help install gutter guards, which will cut down on the number of leaves and twigs in your gutters, and they can also install a sprinkler system so that you don’t have to get out of bed in the morning.

Having a neat lawn is important, whether you’re focusing on aesthetics or if your lawn is more of a “functional” and useful space on your property. Making sure that your lawn is healthy and trimmed correctly will make it look great, and it’ll also mean that you don’t have to spend as much time out in the yard. Always remember that lawn care is worth the effort.