As we head into the new year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how you can improve your landscaping in 2021. Most landscapers understand how important it is to care for their lawn since it covers such a large portion of our properties and is usually the first thing that people notice when they look at our landscaping. Even if you are happy with the state of your lawn at this time, there’s always another lawn care tip you can incorporate into your routine that can make a positive difference.

We’ve put together a list of 4 lawn care projects to take on in 2021 so that you can create a smart plan that makes your landscaping look better than it ever has before. Keep reading on to learn more and remember to reach out to Cal Blend Soils if you are interested in purchasing landscaping products that will make your job easier. We offer discounts on bulk purchases and can deliver our products to the location of your choice for added convenience. Connect with one of the team members at Cal Blend Soils to learn more.

Lawn Care Project 1 – Dethatch Your Lawn

The first lawn care project to consider taking on next year is dethatching your lawn. If you aren’t familiar with the term thatch, it refers to a layer of organic matter that slowly builds up between the leaves and the soil. The build-up of things like dead leaves and grass creates a layer of thatch that prevents your lawn from getting all of the nutrients and water it needs to stay healthy. That’s why it’s important to dethatch your lawn when the layer gets too thick so that you can clear things up for your grass to grow.


It’s easy to identify areas of your lawn that need to be dethatched, as they will usually have a spongy feel and typically have dead patches due to the lack of nutrients. Less than ½ inch of thatch can actually be good for your lawn and act as organic mulch, but anything over 1-inch-thick will need to be taken care of. If you want to dethatch your lawn, you can do so by manually dethatching it with a rake, using power rakes, or using a vertical mower. This is definitely a good lawn care project to consider pursuing next year, as it can make a big positive impact on the way your lawn looks.

Lawn Care Project 2 – Consistently Remove Weeds

One of the peskiest problems that landscapers deal with when it comes to their lawns are weeds. The issue with weeds is that once they sprout up, they can take over your whole yard and rob your grass of the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Unfortunately, many landscapers resort to chemicals that kill weeds but can also harm your lawn. That’s why it’s important to be careful when you are trying to get rid of weeds on your lawn.

If you want to consistently remove weeds without causing irreparable damage to your lawn, here are a few tips. It’s best to remove weeds before they have a chance to become fully grown, as they are easier to pull out before they mature. Grab weeds by the base if you are removing them by hand, because you need to get their roots out of the ground instead of just yanking up half of the plant. If you notice that the weeds are not coming out by hand easily, you can choose to cut off as much of the plant as possible so that their seeds are removed and they can’t reproduce. Finally, using organic weed killers like citrus juice or cornmeal to prevent them from taking over your lawn completely. Make sure you are heading outside regularly to check for weeds if you really want to take your lawn care to a new level of success next year.

Lawn Care Tip 3 – Improve Drainage on Your Lawn

One of the big mistakes that beginners make when it comes to lawn care is overwatering their grass. While it’s true that our lawns need regular water to grow, if the drainage is not adequate on your property, you can actually do more harm than good when watering. That’s why another smart lawn care tip for 2021 is to focus on improving the drainage in your lawn. This can be accomplished in several different ways; it all depends on how bad the drainage actually is.

You might want to check your lawn’s soil to determine its composition before moving forward. If there are high levels of clay and your soil is very compacted, you can consider adding landscaping products like topsoil to improve the quality. You can also add organic materials into the mix to improve the flow of air and water on your lawn. Minimizing the amount of foot traffic on your lawn can also help you with drainage issues. Finally, dethatching can help to improve the drainage on your property.

Lawn Care Tip 4 – Aerate

Another great landscaping activity that can improve the overall health of your lawn is aerating. This is the process of creating small holes in the soil at specific depths with tools. The main reason for aerating your lawn is because it can get compacted over time due to foot traffic and thatch. When the soil on your lawn is too compact, resources like air, water, and nutrients can’t reach the roots of your grass. This is a big problem that can really prevent your lawn from reaching its full potential.

The best time to aerate your lawn is during the growing season since your grass will be able to fully recover. You can rent an aeration machine from your local landscaping company to get the job done quickly. Keep this lawn care tip in mind if you are interested in making a big impact next year.