Turf Maintenance-Proper mowing practices are necessary to kee p any lawn healthy and attractive. Standard St. Augustine grass should be maintained at a height of 4 - 5 inches. Repeatedly mowing at lower heights increases the stress on the lawn, discourages deep rooting, increases the chance for scalping. Mowing too infrequently and watering improperly can cause a thatch buildup.Landscaping Adds up to 20% to a Property's Value- The American Society of Landscape Architects recommends that homeowners invest 10 percent of the home's value in landscaping. The lawn and landscaping is the first thing someone sees when approaching a property and this 'curb appeal' is very important to first impressions.Mowing-Improper mowing causes more problems on lawns than any other maintenance practice. Many lawns are mowed too short and with a dull mower blade.Pulling Weeds by Hand-Weeds should be pulled up before they produce seed heads. This is key to weed eradication because if you let those little seed heads mature, they're going to scatter themselves all over leading to a bigger battle.Spraying weeds in plant beds and concrete cracks-The best way to kill weeds in plant beds is to spot spray with a nonselective herbicide. It will take about a week to shrivel up and die. Then, either weed wack the dead weed to the ground or pull out with your two hands.Benefits of Mulch- Mulching can be one of the most beneficial things you can do for your soil and your plants. Mulches are a labor saving device. A layer of mulch will help prevent the germination of many weed seeds, reducing the need of herbicides. Mulches also help moderate the soil temperature and retain moisture during dry weather, reducing the need for watering. Mulches protect the soil from the impact of raindrops that can cause crusting. Crusting can prevent the germination of seedlings.How much will you need? To be effective, most organic mulches need to be between 2 and 4 inches thick. Therefore, a 10 feet by 10 feet garden mulched 3 inches deep will require 25 cubic feet of mulch.