Keeping yard green and safe for family during summer months takes time, effort

While the summer months are popular for backyard barbecues and trips to swim beaches, there’s still plenty of work to do – especially on the yard. About.com recommends performing these tasks of yard care effectively and efficiently to ensure the safety of you and your property, save you money and free you up for the finer pursuits in life:

Mosquito control: Homeowners can defend themselves and their family and visitors against West Nile virus. Use mosquito repellents when you work or play outside; but, more importantly, gear your yard care to mosquito control by taking away breeding habitats for mosquitoes. That means common-sense sanitation, plus eliminating areas where water would puddle. Read this mosquito control article for reminders of some unlikely sources of standing water.
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Tick control: While West Nile virus makes the headlines more often, Lyme disease spread by ticks, which, in turn, are spread by deer, is something you can protect yourself again. Limit deer incursions by planting deer-resistant plants, and you'll limit tick infestation. It’ll also save you money, as your garden won’t feed the deer instead of you.
More: Deer-Resistant Plants: Preventing Lyme Disease Naturally

Keep the lawn green: Learn how to avoid replacing your lawn by applying lawn fertilizers on a schedule. And save time and energy by practicing effective weed control, having the right mower and using that mower properly. To begin, I look at selecting grass types, watering lawns and – a rather unpleasant aspect of yard care – removing thatch.
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Tune up your lawn mower: Lawn maintenance becomes a major hassle unless your lawn mower is running properly. Instructions are provided here for the do-it-yourselfer to perform a lawn mower tune-up. A lawn mower tune-up consists of three easy steps.
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Make yard care easier - automatic irrigation: Whether irrigation systems are a wasteful component in lawn maintenance depends on how you program them. The frugal can save money on their water bills in the long run by using irrigation systems, if they ensure the settings are at their most efficient. And there’s no question irrigation promotes easier yard care.
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Plant drought-tolerant plants in sunny areas, shade-tolerant plants in shady areas: Make life easier by making sure plants that are meant to take a lot of sun are planted in your sunny areas, and plants that prefer the shade are in your shady areas.
More: Drought-Tolerant Plants; More: Shade-Tolerant Plants

Preparations for fall plantings: Don't wait until fall to think about displaying fall color on your property. Your first step should be to get annuals on the cheap and nurse them along till fall arrives. The article also explores plant choices for fall color, as well as how to arrange the plants.
More: Fall Flowers on the Cheap