I was chatting with a new client last week who asked me point-blank: “Be honest, am I neglecting my yard?” After 15 years running Red Shovel Landscaping, I’ve heard this question hundreds of times. The truth is, most people only think about yard maintenance when something looks wrong.
We’ve worked on everything from pristine show-gardens to yards so overgrown you could lose a small child in them. What I’ve learned is simple yards don’t stay the same when ignored. They don’t politely wait for your attention. They either thrive with regular care or slowly fall apart without it.
So how often should you be out there maintaining your yard? Well, it depends on your specific situation, but I’ve got some real-world advice that works for most homes here in Albuquerque.
The Rhythm of Yard Maintenance: Weekly, Monthly, and Seasonal
Weekly Must-Dos
Mowing That Makes Sense: During growing season, your grass needs a trim about once a week. Sometimes people ask me, “Can I just cut it super short and then ignore it for a month?” Unfortunately, that’s like giving your lawn a buzz cut in summer—it stresses the grass and invites weeds to the party.
We find that keeping your grass at about 3-3.5 inches tall works best for most yards. Any shorter and the roots get sun-scorched; any longer and you’re dealing with a tangled mess that’s hard to mow properly. During July and August, you might stretch to 8-10 days between mows if the heat slows growth.
The Five-Minute Weed Patrol: I tell clients to spend just five minutes daily pulling weeds while having their morning coffee or evening beer. It’s so much easier than facing a jungle once a month. Those little weed seedlings come out with barely a tug when they’re young, but give them a few weeks and suddenly you need tools and serious back strength.
One of our clients started this habit and told me it’s become almost meditative—plus her beds look amazing with minimal effort.
Quick Cleanup Circuit: Kids’ toys, fallen branches, random trash that blew in—these things multiply when you’re not looking. A quick loop around your yard once a week keeps these from becoming weekend-eating projects. I keep a basket by my back door just for this purpose.
Monthly Attention That Pays Off
Feeding Your Hungry Lawn: Your lawn is basically a big group of plants that need food. During peak growing seasons (spring and fall), a monthly feeding makes a massive difference. In summer, we often back off to avoid pushing growth during heat stress periods.
The right fertilizer schedule is like giving your yard a steady diet instead of feast-or-famine cycles. We notice that lawns on regular feeding programs need less water and fight off weeds better.
Shrub and Hedge Shaping: Most shrubs won’t turn into monsters overnight, but monthly trimming prevents that “oops, when did that get so huge?” moment. Light, frequent pruning is far better than hacking back overgrown bushes once a year.
I learned this lesson the hard way in my own yard. I ignored my boxwoods for a whole season, and when I finally trimmed them, they looked terrible for months—all woody stems and no fullness.
Mulch Check: Fresh mulch makes everything look better, but it doesn’t stay fresh-looking forever. Once a month, we recommend walking your beds and touching up areas where mulch has thinned out or faded. A little top-up in high-visibility areas keeps things looking sharp without redoing everything.
One clever trick we use: keep a small stash of mulch in an inconspicuous corner of your yard for these touch-ups. It’ll weather similarly to what’s already in your beds, making for a better match.
The Big Seasonal Shifts
Spring Revival (March-April) Spring cleanup is like opening the windows after a long winter—it just feels right. We focus on:
- Clearing out all that dead plant material that’s been sitting there all winter
- Cutting back ornamental grasses and perennials
- Aerating soil that’s compacted from winter moisture
- Applying pre-emergent weed control before those summer weeds wake up
- Checking irrigation systems before they’re needed daily
I always tell people that a good spring cleanup is like starting the year with a clean slate. It sets you up for success and makes all your other maintenance easier.
Summer Survival Strategy (May-August) Summer in Albuquerque can be brutal on yards. We adjust by:
- Raising mowing heights to protect roots from heat
- Checking irrigation more frequently for clogs or broken heads
- Mulching heavily to retain moisture
- Trimming just enough to maintain shape without promoting tender new growth
The yards that struggle most in summer are often those that didn’t get proper spring attention. It’s like trying to run a marathon without training—technically possible, but painful and likely to end badly.
Fall Reset (September-November) Fall maintenance is about preparing for dormancy and setting up for next year:
- Removing leaves before they mat down and smother grass
- Overseeding thin lawn areas while soil is still warm
- Cutting back perennials after they’ve finished their show
- Giving everything a good deep watering before winter dryness sets in
One of our most dramatic transformations came from a client who had skipped fall cleanup for years. When we finally tackled it, we found perfectly good plants that had been struggling under layers of debris. The following spring, her garden exploded with growth and color.
Winter Watch (December-February) Even in our mild Albuquerque winters, yards need some attention:
- Pruning trees and shrubs while they’re dormant (safer and less stressful)
- Checking for drainage issues during winter rain and snow
- Keeping heavy ice or snow from damaging branches
- Planning next year’s projects when you can see the “bones” of your landscape
Winter is my favorite time for major landscape planning. You can see issues and opportunities that might be hidden by foliage in other seasons.
When to Call in the Red Shovel Team
I’m all for DIY yard work—it’s good exercise and there’s real satisfaction in it. But there are times when calling us makes more sense:
- When you’re staring at a yard that’s gotten away from you and feel overwhelmed
- Before major events when you want everything looking perfect
- If you’re battling persistent problems like drainage issues or stubborn weeds
- When you need specialized equipment for tasks like aeration or major pruning
- If physical limitations make yard work difficult or impossible
- When your time is better spent elsewhere (we work while you relax!)
We’ve rescued many yards that good-intentioned homeowners just couldn’t keep up with. There’s no shame in it—yards are demanding, and life gets busy.
Our Approach to Maintenance
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all maintenance schedules. Instead, we:
- Start with a Conversation We walk your property together, listening more than talking. What bothers you most? What do you love? What’s your realistic maintenance budget and time commitment?
- Create a Customized Plan Some yards need weekly attention. Others do well with monthly visits and seasonal deep-dives. We match our service to your specific needs.
- Focus on Prevention We’d rather stop problems before they start. Simple things like proper mowing height and smart irrigation save enormous headaches later.
- Adjust as We Go Gardens are living things. What works in spring might need tweaking in summer. We stay flexible and responsive.
- Teach While We Work Many clients want to learn alongside us. We’re happy to share tips and techniques for the days between our visits.
Your Yard, Your Way
Remember, there’s no perfect maintenance schedule that works for everyone. The best approach is the one you’ll follow through with—whether that’s doing it yourself or calling us at Red Shovel Landscaping to handle it.
The most successful yards we maintain aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets. They’re the ones where there’s a clear, consistent plan that fits the owner’s lifestyle and the yard’s needs.
Give us a call when you’re ready to find that sweet spot for your own piece of Albuquerque. We’re here to help your yard thrive through every season—one red shovel at a time.
