How to Get a Gorgeous Lawn

Water your lawn between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. If you water your lawn too late in the day, it will be more prone to disease and insect problems, which are common in waterlogged conditions. Early watering ensures that the water will evaporate quickly but still reach the roots of the grass.

Mow your lawn 3 inches high. Mowing at a lower height not only requires more maintenance, but also decreases drought and heat tolerance, as well as weed resistance. As noted by the Colorado State University Extension, there's no reason to mow your lawn to different heights at various times of the year, so stay consistent.

Maintain your mower to keep the blades as sharp as possible. Dull blades tear grass instead of cutting it, which takes away from its appearance as well as its health. According to Cornell University Extension, lawns mowed with dull blades also use 30 percent more water than those that are maintained with sharp blades.

Keep your clippings. Grass clippings encourage nutrient recycling and also increase the amount of organic matter in the lawn. Healthy organic matter content encourages the activity of beneficial organisms like earthworms. Contrary to common belief, grass clippings do not contribute to thatch or smother the grass.

Fertilize in the fall rather than the spring. Spring fertilization causes too much top growth and puts stress on grass roots. If you do fertilize in the spring, wait until May for optimal benefit. Never fertilize on frozen or saturated soil.

Aerate your soil once per year to decrease thatch accumulation. Aeration is especially important if you have problems with soil compaction and thatch, or if it receives a lot of foot traffic. Most home and garden centers have aerators for rent, and some may even provide aeration services for a fee.