What Will Make My Grass Grow Greener?

Water Sparingly

• In an effort to get their grass green, some homeowners go overboard when it comes to providing their yard with irrigation. This can literally drown the grass. Frequent watering also makes the grass grow shallow roots, which makes it much more susceptible to drought- and stress-related wilting and browning. Instead, only water your grass when it begins to show signs of dehydration. This includes slight wilting, a blueish hue to its existing color, or the folding inward of its leaf blades. Water once you see these signs, and use enough water to get the dirt wet to a depth of five inches. Hold off on watering until you see signs of dehydration again. This forces your lawn to create more extensive roots, thus helping it to stay greener for longer periods of time without your intervention.

Mow Often

• If you find mowing a tedious and sweaty job, here's inspiration: regular mowing works to keep your grass at its healthiest. Constant trimming diverts energy back into the grass plant's base, encouraging stronger, greener and more vigorous growth in both its stems and roots. It also improves sun and water penetration and can help keep foliage-based diseases, such as fungus growth, at bay. Keep your grass at the height that's specifically recommended for its species -- for example, hybrid bermuda grass should be cut to a maximum height of 1.5 inches while kikuyu grass likes a maximum height of 2.25 inches -- and trim often so you never remove more than 30 percent of the grass' existing height.

Leave the Grass Trimmings On

• Some homeowners sweep up the grass trimmings left over after mowing, thinking it makes their lawn look messy. Don't follow suit. Leaving the grass clippings on your lawn returns up to 25 percent of your lawn's nutrients, such as nitrogen. It also contributes various organic elements that condition the soil, leading to naturally healthier and greener grass.

Fertilize Regularly

• Fertilize your grass regularly during its most vigorous growth period. This ensures a uniformly green and thick lawn surface. Generally, 1/2 lb. of nitrogen gets administered for every 500 square feet of lawn surface. Thus, the specific amount of fertilizer you'll need varies depending on the specific fertilizer you use; each manufacturer provides dosage guidance on the product label. Cool-season grass species, such as fine fescues, typically get fertilized from October through mid-May, while warm-season grasses such as zoysia get fertilized from May through August.

Eradicate Weed Invaders

• Weeds don't just mar the surface of your lawn with unsightly foliage and seed heads. They also compete with your grass for space and soil nutrients, and severe infestations can cause spare grass growth and less-than-green growing results. Every spring, an application of pre-emergent lawn herbicides can help kill any dormant weed seeds without harming your existing grass. If the weeds are already growing, try a post-emergent selective herbicide that's lawn-friendly but kills weeds.