Lawn and Grass Care

Water

• The amount and the frequency you water a lawn depends on various soil factors. Grass growing on sandy soils needs watering more often than grass in a clay soil. Clay soils need 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water to penetrate 6 inches deep in the soil. Sandy soils typically need only a 1/2 inch application for the water to reach the same depth. Knowing how far down your grass's roots go is critical to proper watering, advises the University of Cololorado Extension. One definite sign a lawn needs watering is when grass blades start to wilt.

Fertilizer

• A soil test will tell you tell what nutrients your grass needs. Once you know if your lawn is deficient in a particular nutrient, such as nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium, you can purchase a fertlizer with that will restore the balance. At least 50 to 75 percent of the fertlizer spread on your grass should come between August and November, according to Cornell University. Early spring applications of fertilizer often lead to excessive top growth and do not nourish the roots.

Mowing

• A typical low-maintenance lawn needs regular cutting to a height of 3 inches. Cutting too low may injure the grass's root system. Longer grass also does a better job of resisting competing weeds such as crabgrass.

  Avoid cutting more than 1/3 of the height off grass blades at any one time. How often you mow depends on how fast the lawn grows. You will need to mow more frequently during times of faster growth to keep the grass at the recommended 3 inch height.

Clippings

• Leave your grass clippings on your lawn, advises the Ohio State University Extension. Bagging them will deprive the lawn of valuable nutrients. Letting grass clippings decompose and work back into the soil can provide your lawn with 25 percent of the nutrients it needs. Some homeowners bag their clippings in the unfounded belief that leaving them on the lawn causes thatch, says the extension.