Living in dense urban areas usually means smaller lawn sizes. Some people might be quick to neglect the care and management of a small yard because small yard ideas tend to oppose regular outdoor landscaping routines. 

For example, lawn equipment is bulky and difficult to maneuver through tight spaces making upkeep tiresome. Shading from the surrounding houses and trees inhibits greenery growth. Limited space restricts choices of patio equipment and seating. Whatever the obstacle might be, small yard landscaping needs the proper research and attention to effectively utilize your entire outdoor space. 

No matter how small your yard may seem, we have tips that will transform your space into an outdoor oasis. Create a space that helps you feel more grounded and peaceful as you follow our proven small yard landscaping ideas. We have crafted 5 tips on how to care for your lawn and optimize your small yard for outdoor activity and enjoyment.

We suggest doing a quick search for small backyard ideas on pinterest or google. Once you have a few inspirational pictures in mind, check out our tips for backyard care, maintenance, and design. 

Select the Appropriate Lawn Material

In order to care for your lawn, you need to know what type of grass and lawn you are working with. Some small yard landscaping guides may suggest using artificial turf. This is a great option if you are looking for a low maintenance backyard. However, if you are interested in maintaining a natural feel in your backyard, you will want to opt for real grass. 

If you already have grass growing in your yard, you should identify the type before choosing a lawn care routine. If you are starting new, you will need to evaluate your local climate to choose the best grass for your area. Here is a list of some of the most popular grass by climate in the United States. 

Cool Humid Zone (Northeastern, Northern Midwest, and Pacific Northwest of the U.S.) 

• Bluegrass 
• Fescues 
• Ryegrasses 
• Bentgrasses

Cool Arid Zone (Western Areas of the U.S. Midwest) 

• Buffalograss
• Canada Bluegrass
• Wheatgrass

Warm Humid Zone (Southeastern Parts of the U.S) 

• St. Augustinegrass
• Bermudagrass
• Bahiagrass

Warm Arid Zone (Southern Parts of the U.S.) 

• Bermudagrass 
• Buffalo grass
• Zoysia grass 

Use Suitable Tools

Tools play a huge role in the ability to maintain your yard. Choosing high quality lawn equipment is paramount in caring for your lawn. 

Lawn Mowers

If you have chosen to plant real grass, you will want to pick a lawn mower that is compact and flexible. A traditional gas-powered mower might not be the right choice for small yard landscaping. You may choose a robot lawn mower, small electric mower, or a push-type reel mower. If storage is an issue, you may want to research local lawn care services to take care of weekly lawn maintenance. 

Other Tools

In addition to a lawn mower, you will want to have some other small tools on hand to maintain your lawn. These tools include:

• A lawn edger
• Rakes (Especially if you are surrounded by trees) 
• Seed spreaders 
• Leaf blower
• Gloves 
• Garden Shears
• Snowblower and salt 

Practice Strategic Mowing Techniques

After some time, mowing bends the grass and can make it difficult to cut the blades the next time you go out. A great tip for mowing grass is to cut diagonally and change directions each time you mow. This will help to maintain a sharp looking backyard environment. 

Start a Personalized DIY Garden

Just because you have a small lawn doesn’t mean you can’t grow your own garden. One of our small backyard ideas is to create a garden planted in places other than the ground. From hanging to stacking, you have a lot of options when it comes to planting a garden. Here are a couple ideas to optimize space while maintaining an aesthetic appeal. 

Hanging 

• Use tiered baskets and string to hang plants from a wall, ceiling, or backyard fence. Baskets can also add an extra layer of aesthetic appeal to your backyard atmosphere. 
• Dangle colander planters  to add color and beauty to your limited backyard space. 

Stacking 

• • Align and stack up crates on the edge of one of your backyard walls. This will allow you to plant a variety of the plants in a limited space. 
  • Similar to the crates, stack planters box in a tiered fashion and start planting herbs, flowers, and more.  
  • Using a pyramid structure, stack your planters on top of one another. Be sure to only place seeds on the outside edges. 

Vertical 

• • Using a wooden board, attach mason jars vertically. Attach the wooden bar to a fence or wall and then plant different herbs in each of the jars. 
  • Attach coffee cans to a wooden wall and plant a variety of flowers to the cans to add vibrancy and color. 
  • Find a wooden trellis and pot hangers to hang tin cans down a ladder like structure. This can be placed up against the house or fence. 

Create a Regular Routine for Backyard Maintenance

For stable growth, plants and greenery need a structured routine for watering, mowing, weeding, and pruning. We have broken down the easiest schedule for maintaining your lawn on a weekly basis. You will also want to check out lawn care schedules for the four different seasons. 

Everyday (or 3 – 4 times a week) 

• If you choose to plant a personal garden, you will want to water your plants everyday or every other day—depending on the type of plants you have. 

Every Week 

• Determine the amount of water your lawn needs and water your lawn about once a week to promote healthy grass. 

As Needed

• Depending on how fast your grass grows, you will probably need to mow your lawn once every 1-2 weeks. 
• If you have rocks or weeds in your yard, you will want to remove them as needed. 

Small yard landscaping turns a house into a home. Customize and maintain the outdoor space of your dreams using a few of our lawn care tips. If you are looking for extra assistance in your lawn care, contact us today to find Lawn Doctor services near you.