A+ Guidance on Grading and Lawn Care

Keeping a pristine yard throughout the year can be challenging, especially in the Pacific Northwest, but it’s not impossible! One of the perks of owning a Holt Home is that your landscaping has been thoughtfully planned out and equipped with nutrient-rich soil, irrigation, drainage systems, and overall aesthetic for your front yard — giving you a head start at maintenance mastery! For your backyard, this space is a blank canvas where Holt typically offers a few simple options such as adding a lawn (or sometimes turf) and fencing. Every homeowner has very different visions for their dream backyard, so keeping these areas relatively simple allows you to put the cost savings into making sure you get the exact thing you want. 

When it comes to taking care of your outdoor spaces, like many other home maintenance tasks, you get out what you put in. The more time and care you give your yard, the better it will look and function! 

Aside from the usual advice on how to keep your yard green and the best time of year to plant, there are some other key tips about your warranty and yard infrastructure you’ll need to know as a homeowner. For example, did you know you should refresh your bark dust annually? We’ll discuss that and more below. 

Drainage

Living in our Pacific Northwest climate means there are lots of downpours throughout the year. As mentioned before, Holt Home yards are equipped with efficient drainage to help properly guide water away from your home and keep your foundation in solid condition. These systems are built to a code set by your homeowner warranty provider, as well as state, county, and local governing agencies. 

Drainage infrastructure includes both necessary grading (purposeful gentle sloping on your property that helps to guide runoff water) and swales (hollow places between two ridges that can collect and drain water, often between property lines). Sometimes it can also have drains that resemble shower drains and are set around the property. 

As a homeowner you’re responsible for maintaining your grading and swales once the home closes, so inspecting and adjusting your system before the rainy season begins will be key. Referencing your maintenance manual and warranty booklet will help you if you’re not sure where to start. 

If it’s been less than a year since you moved in and you're noticing excessive water in your swales and yard even after the rain has stopped for a few days, please contact the Holt to help address the issue. You’ll be glad to hear that your Builder Backed Warranty provided by 2-10 HBW has coverages for this which you can read more about under your Workmanship Warranty section.

Keep in mind it’s normal to see small puddles and have a softer yard directly after heavy rainfall, especially on new construction properties going through the settling process. 

Bark Dust

After the long winter season, it’s a good idea to refresh your bark dust and soil. You’ll want to do this not only as a part of maintaining your grade to keep water away from your home’s foundation but also to revitalize your soil’s nutrients so your plants stay healthy and happy. 

In early spring or just before fall, refresh and level your grade by adding matching sliver-free bark mulch. To apply it you should follow the exact sloping, verifying that you are angling away from your foundation. Use a hard-back rake and look to cover any patches of hard ground. Make sure to get a few bags to ensure you’ve addressed the complete area and stabilize any other bare areas with grass. Be careful to avoid adding too much mulch around your fence line to prevent damaging the wood or causing drainage deficiencies. 

Grass

Once your grass starts to turn green again (usually late spring), aerating your yard can help reduce soil compaction and allow your grass to grow deeper roots for water and fertilizer. Speaking of fertilizer, adding landscaper-approved fertilizer can super-charge your lawn, strengthening grassroots, and making your lawn grow faster and greener. After fertilizing, it’s best to start mowing your lawn once or twice a week to keep your grass from getting too long. 

Once the weather is dry enough to start your sprinklers and watering routine again, make sure to avoid over-watering areas around your house to prevent water damage to your foundation. Also, make sure to keep your sprinkler heads clear of debris and mulch. 

Landscaping

Landscaping your home can be a great way to enhance your outdoor environment. But it’s important to note that your warranty only covers work done by your homebuilder (Holt!). According to the terms in your included home warranty, issues related to alterations made to your yard such as regrading, fencing, and removed/added plants, trees, and shrubs will not be covered. This could sometimes impact issues with how water is draining on your property. We recommend waiting on any major changes to your home or property for at least one year after you move in. This not only gives you time to save up but also to live in your home a little, learning how you want to use your space day-to-day. 

Once you’ve lived in your Holt home for a year and you’re ready to start re-imagining your landscape, we recommend hiring a landscape architect, or other professional to help bring your vision to life and make sure to work within any requirements set by the local jurisdiction. Experienced landscape experts can be a font of knowledge about local soil and growing conditions, ensuring quality results. If you are passionate about using your own landscaping skills, we advise making sure you have the right tools and avoid adding any trees or water features within 15 feet of your home to help prevent damage to your foundation. 

Regularly maintaining your yard will help keep it looking nice, and most importantly functioning smoothly. If it’s been less than one year since you moved in, remember to consult your warranty booklet before making any changes to your landscaping so you can get the most out of your coverage period. And lastly, don’t forget, putting in the appropriate amount of care throughout the year will keep your yard in top condition for years to come! 

If you ever have questions about your Holt home, be sure to consult your homeowner booklets or contact our .

For more than four decades, Holt Homes has built new construction homes for families in Oregon and Southwest Washington. The quality and experience of our people, the ease and efficiency of our approach, and the livability of our communities work hand-in-hand to make Holt Homes the largest locally-grown home builder in the region. For more information, live chat or call us at (971)-231-5560.

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