Everyone knows the house with the greenest lawn — neighbors point it out, and drivers can’t help but stare when they roll by. You’re thinking of it right now. So why can’t it be yours? Is it just too much money? Maybe you don’t have time to put in all the work you think it takes, or perhaps your home is just cursed with bad grass. It might work for your neighbor who hires the pros and gets up early and goes to bed late, but that’s not your style.

But maybe it’s simpler than that.

The Grass Is Always Greener…

With more than 90 percent of people thinking a lush lawn increases a home’s value, it’s no wonder that everyone pumps money into their front yard. In fact, Americans spend almost 30 billion on lawn care every year. That’s a lot of dough just to have your outdoor space look great. More than three-fourths of people in the United States think that their lawn is a direct reflection of their personality. Of course you’re going to take care of your lawn if you believe you’re being judged on it. And the reality is: You are.

Your front yard is the gateway to your home. It ushers in your guests and is the first presentation of your living style. People who will never even enter your house are introduced to it and your most intimate friends are greeted by it. You should want it to look great. There are only two misunderstandings about a great front yard:

1. How much it costs to have one
2. How much work you have to put in

A great lawn is right at your fingertips, and no… you don’t have to break the bank (or your back) to get it.

Work Smart, Not Hard

It’s a myth that you won’t have to put in any time to have an awesome yard, but forget that idea that all your weekends are going to be spent weeding and spraying. Americans collectively spend more than 2.3 billion minutes per year on their lawns. That stat makes a lot more sense when you realize that 75 percent of Americans believe it’s important to spend time doing yard work. But if you work smart, not hard, you can be the new owner of the best lawn on the block — and all without having to put in countless hours of work. Here’s how:

From the Ground up

A great yard begins with what’s lurking underneath the soil… or rather, what’s not lurking underneath the soil. If you want that lush look you’re going to need grub control. This is one area where money spent is worth it. A professional pesticide application can wipe out an  existing pest population and leave your grass free to sprout without interference. All it takes is a phone call and some watering to make sure the process works. Easy enough, right?

Watering Matters

Quality, not quantity is the name of the game when it comes to watering your grass. Instead of being like that early-riser-late-nighter neighbor, just make sure you give your lawn a good soak at least once a day. Grass thrives when the water penetrates the surface, so allow it to sink in before hanging up the hose.

Mow the Right Way

Grass clippings are your friend! The nutrients from your old shreds of grass will actually feed your new grass. Pretty cool, huh? The problem is that most homeowners don’t even know this. Many would rather bag the clippings to ensure that old cut grass isn’t browning up the lawn. But reality is that your yard will actually look more lush if you actually leave them lay. The trick here is to cut your grass multiple times a week. It doesn’t need to be an every-other-day occurrence, but shorter clippings will leave the brown less noticeable and your yard will still benefit from the nutrients.

If you want to have a great outdoor space this season you don’t need a lot of money, time or effort. All you have to do is apply some of these simple tips. Go ahead and try them!