Grounds
The grounds system covers everything outside the walls: the driveway, lawn, garden beds, irrigation, outdoor furniture, and grill. These components work at different rhythms and require different skills, but they share a common vulnerability to neglect. Cracked pavement lets water in and widens; an unserviced irrigation system can freeze, leak, or distribute water unevenly all season; a lawn that isn't aerated or overseeded thins out and invites weeds.
Consistent upkeep keeps small problems from compounding. Sealing a crack early costs far less than patching a heaved section later. Draining the irrigation system before the first freeze prevents burst lines in spring. Mulching beds and managing debris aren't cosmetic tasks; they protect soil, reduce pest pressure, and cut the work needed the following season. Steady attention to the grounds is what separates a yard that recovers each year from one that slowly deteriorates.
Components
Grounds Tasks
| Component | Task | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway | Seal driveway cracks | Once a year, in spring |
| Grill | Clean grill | Once a year, in spring |
| Irrigation System | Flush and drain irrigation system | Once a year, in fall |
| Reconnect and test irrigation system | Once a year, in spring | |
| Outdoor Furniture | Store and cover outdoor furniture | Once a year, in fall |
| General | Aerate and overseed lawn | Once a year, in fall |
| Apply perimeter pest repellent | Once a year, in spring | |
| Clear debris from yard | Once a year, in spring | |
| Fertilize lawn | Once a year, in spring | |
| Mulch garden beds | Once a year, in spring | |
| Rake and remove fall yard debris | Once a year, in fall | |
| Trim branches overhanging house | Once a year, in fall |
Last updated