Chip Gaines Breaks Down Exactly How He Tackles His Lawn
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Chip Gaines knows a thing or two about yard work. Since the construction expert lives on a farm in Waco, Texas, he's often getting behind the wheel of a lawn mower to cut grass, or a compact tractor to rip out invasive plants on the property. If you're thinking "I could sure use someone like that to tackle the outside of my home this spring," rest easy! Gaines is sharing all of his yard work secrets to set you up for success, from planning ahead to caring for your lawn. Dig into all of his tips below and get your lawn ready for its moment in the sun.
Start Early
Before you break out any equipment, plan and prioritize the outdoor tasks you want to tackle. One project Gaines focused on this spring is extending the length of a barrier fence that corrals the livestock on his farm. While still in the planning stages, he measured twice the length of the planned extension, then ordered thick wooden posts and higher-gauge barbed wire. When it came time to work, he had everything he needed.
Invest in the Right Equipment
Tough outdoor work requires equally tough tools to get the job done. But straightforward tasks can also be made easier and quicker with the right tools and machinery, such as a good mower to cut grass. One persistent issue Gaines runs into is fast-spreading mesquite trees that are hard to remove because of their deep root system. Every early spring, Gaines takes them down, one by one, before they grow leaves and catkins. "Every region in the U.S. has their version of mesquite trees like we have here in Texas," Gaines says. "Investing in quality tools like Bobcat's compact tractor makes the job of tackling them easier and way more efficient."
Ensure the Machinery You Have Is in Good Shape
Check on the condition of your existing equipment. Get anything serviced or work on regular maintenance yourself. If you're using a mower for the lawn, you may need to get the blades sharpened, check the inflation of the drive tires, clean the cutting deck, and check the fuel filter and spark plugs. And to prevent any future problems, you want to prep your lawn to make sure that you're not asking the mower to chew up much that isn't just grass. "In Texas, the grass starts growing in early spring, so the first mow of the year is actually just bagging the lawn of the old dead grass, sticks, and debris from winter and adding it to the brush pile," Gaines says.
Focus on the Lawn
The first business Gaines ever started was a lawn mowing service. "The idea for my first company came to me while I was sitting in a business class in college. But it wasn't the professor's lecture that had my mind racing. I'd caught a glimpse out the window of a man on a riding lawn mower and couldn’t help but wish I was sitting in his seat instead," he recalls. "It wasn't a few weeks later that I bought my first mower and started knocking on doors."
As a self-proclaimed lawn enthusiast, Gaines recommends starting by aerating your lawn. If there are bare patches, try overseeding. If you do this before your trees start growing leaves, the lawn can benefit from extra sunlight. Repair any damage from rodents or tunneling by flattening problem areas with topsoil and overseeding. And don't forget to check your irrigation system for leaks or sprinkler damage.
Remember to Have Fun
While Gaines wants you to take your yard work seriously, you should also have fun with it. "Though farm chores and construction work are some of the most physically demanding jobs that I do, when I keep my mind set on the thrill of the discovery—what it's all going to look like or what I’ll get to learn on the other side—it's a whole lot more natural to love the work itself," he says. "And there’s something really satisfying about work that feels like it's giving you purpose."
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