A sprawling yard can be a delightful retreat, especially during times when the weather is inviting. However, keeping up with the maintenance of the yard can often be a hassle as it involves many daily activities like mowing, watering, weeding, fertilizing, and mulching. On the bright side, knowing certain tips and tricks can help turn such tasks into a manageable and even enjoyable activity. Explore some yardwork hacks below to simplify the process.

1. Buy smart devices to automate watering
   Technological advancement has made available a host of smart devices and equipment that can facilitate automatic watering, eliminating human effort and saving time. A smart sprinkler system or smart hose timer can be easily managed through one’s smartphone or via a smart speaker. Furthermore, rain gauges may be used to determine whether the plants are receiving sufficient water or if they need more watering. Such steps can help one save considerable time and ensure that their yard is watered even when they are away from home for extended periods.
2. Use a dish soap for better water absorption
   Certain hard areas in yards that do not absorb water easily may be challenging to manage. The good news is that a solution consisting of dish soap can help make the soil in these areas more porous and allow water to seep in more easily. This quick hack is often used in golf courses to ensure water is evenly absorbed throughout the pitch. However, it is pertinent to note that excessive amounts of dish soap can harm the soil and plant life due to its chemical ingredients.
3. Remove weeds using a salt and vinegar solution
   A gallon of white vinegar mixed with salt and a teaspoon of dish soap is the perfect “solution” to removing weeds from one’s yard. This solution can be sprayed on the yard grass to prevent weeds from growing around them. However, one should avoid spraying the solution on the soil, limiting it only to the grass blades, as excess salt concentration in the soil can impede plant growth.
4. Use – and prepare – mulch
   Mulch ensures that the soil is kept cool during summers, reducing the frequency of watering required and saving time in the yard. Moreover, since it is made of organic matter, it replenishes the soil with the nourishment it requires. Finally, it is extremely easy and rewarding to prepare mulch in one’s yard, using residual matter and organic substances like leaves, hay, straw, scraps from the kitchen, sawdust, shells, manure, and newspaper. So, using mulch can be highly beneficial for plants in a yard and those caring for it.
5. Use plant pots for certain plants
   While the option to directly grow plants in soil is a significant advantage for lawn owners, creepers like mint, passion flowers, cucumber, and bougainvillea grow horizontally, requiring a lot of space. Eventually, these plants can take up a significant portion of the yard, preventing one from growing other plants. Hence, growing such plants in containers is an excellent idea to save space. These plants may eventually be transferred to bigger containers as they grow and may get placed in a specific part of the yard.

Maintaining a yard can be rewarding if one knows helpful hacks to save time and effort. Understanding what each plant in the yard needs and considering factors like weather conditions can also help make the process streamlined.