Yesterday’s Real Estate Weekly (an email newsletter, sign up here) included an introductory article by Amy Hoak, a real estate writer with MarketWatch.com. It is very appropriate for a green real estate blog, of course, to pass on this valuable information!

Her article is exactly what I preach! (I used to practice it, too, until I sold my home and moved to a lovely contemporary Craftsman townhome in High Point. 5 homes and 5 condominiums for sale today!)

A for-sale home with great curb appeal has an advantage over its competition: It makes a favorable first impression. For many, improving curb appeal starts with the lawn.

More than one-third of those surveyed in a recent Consumer Reports poll said they’d put more of an effort into their outdoor spaces this year, compared with last year, putting in extra work to entertain guests, or to make yards look at least as good as their neighbor’s yard.

“We found that homeowners should be prepared to dedicate an average of 6.5 hours per week working outdoors during growing season,” said Peter Sawchuk, project leader at Consumer Reports, in a news release. In its May issue, the magazine rates mowers and provides tips on how to save money and time while taking care of your lawn.

Here are the tips, according to Consumer Reports:
1) Fertilize less. Instead of stocking up on fertilizer, clear out yard debris and test the soil to find out the soil’s pH, missing nutrients, how much of each is needed, and when to apply them.
2) Maintain your mower. Oil changes, basic engine maintenance and sharp blades can reduce fuel costs by up to 25%.
3) Thicken your turf. Choose grass suited to your climate, soil conditions and lifestyle.
4) Mow less. Never cut more than one-third of the blade’s total height or it will weaken the roots. Mow less often as the weather heats up and grass growth slows.
5) Add compost. Adding a quarter-inch of top-dressing compost once or twice a year promotes a healthy turf and saves money by reducing need for fertilizer and water.
6) Mulch clippings. Mulching instead of bagging returns natural nutrients to soil, saving time, bags, and as much as 30% on fertilizing costs.
7) Be smart about watering. Water deeply and infrequently: 1 inch per week, although hot spells may require additional watering.
8) Improve sprinkler-system efficiency. Irrigation systems save on watering the lawn, but vary in efficiency. On existing sprinkler systems, install a rain sensor or a soil-moisture sensor so the lawn is only watered when the air or ground is dry.
9) Think beyond grass. Grass won’t grow everywhere, so consider shade-loving ground covers, ornamental grasses, and plants instead.
10) Do a weekly walk-around. Check the lawn once a week for stressed plants and turf, bare spots, compacted soil, and signs of too much watering.

Following these guidelines can trim an hour or more off of yard work each week — and save you money, too, according to Consumer Reports. For those trying to sell a home in this market, or those simply trying to reduce home-maintenance costs, it’s worth a shot.