By: By Joe Mandato, Housing InspectorLawn Care Ordinance and Tips Winter is still here, but it is not too early to start thinking about the upcoming spring season. But first, did you winterize your lawn mower? If not, now is the time to do that. Then, when the snow melts and the grass begins to grow again, here are 4 lawn care tips you may want to follow:
- Never scalp your lawn - You never want to cut off more than 1/3 of the length of the grass blades at once. Maximum height for most lawns range from 2 to 4 inches. This is half the allowable length in our ordinance–8 inches (1385.20).
- Make sure the blades on your lawn mower are sharp - Dull blades tear the blades of grass, which turns the grass brown. This may later cause the spread of fungus disease.
- Consider changing your cutting patterns - Try going in different directions and avoid making sharp turns.
- Watering the grass should be another concern - It is suggested that you water the grass in the early morning hours. Grass requires about one inch of water a week.
Exterior Maintenance Program
In 2007, the city worked with the Cuyahoga County Housing Department to rehab five vacant and abandoned homes in Lyndhurst. The cost of the projects was approximately $95,000. The goal was to enhance our city’s appeal.
Here’s how the program works. After we determine a house is vacant and abandoned, we team up with the county, which approves the work to be done. City Council then approves the funds. After the work is complete, the county signs off on the project and reimburses the city. The city places a lien on the property in the amount of the rehab expenses. When the house sells, the city is reimbursed the lien amount, which goes into a fund for similar future projects. This way, the fund keeps refreshing itself. The state has allocated $500,000 for this program in 2008, and we plan to work with the county to tackle even more projects this year.