7 Steps to Lawn Perfection

Improved Soil

• A perfect lawn starts with good soil. The topsoil is often removed during home construction, leaving a hard, infertile soil behind. Haul in topsoil from a commercial landscaping firm, or amend soil with 1 inch of compost or manure. Remove any weeds, rocks or debris and till the soil to a depth of 6 inches. Rake it until its smooth.

Selecting Lawn Seed

• Select a lawn seed well-suited for your region, as well as for your yard's situation. Kentucky bluegrass grows quickly and creates a dense, lush lawn, but it needs more water and fertilizer than other grass types. Fine fescue is the best choice for shady areas, although it doesn't tolerate foot traffic. Choose a grass blend used on soccer fields if you have active kids or pets. Seed the lawn in fall or spring when temperatures are cool and water lightly several times per day until the grass germinates. Seed the grass seed according to package directions. Over-seeding can cause competition among the grass plants, encouraging disease and weak roots.

Proper Watering

• Lawns need around 1 to 2 inches of water per week, depending on the variety and growing conditions. Water grass infrequently, but deeply, in the absence of natural rainfall, to encourage deep roots and a healthy lawn. Once or twice per week for 45 minutes per station is preferable in most situations. Water more frequently in hot, windy climates, or if you have sandy soil.

Mowing

• Set your lawn mower at 3 inches and mow weekly. Keeping lawns on the long side shades the grass, reducing moisture evaporation and encouraging a healthy lawn. A slightly longer lawn also reduces weed growth and weeds. Mow more frequently in spring, if needed, when the grass is growing quickly. By late summer, grass growth slows, reducing the frequency of mowing.

Mulch

• Leave the grass clippings on the lawn when you mow. Most mowers have a mulching option, which shreds the leaves into small pieces. Grass clippings break down quickly, adding nitrogen to the soil, and potentially reducing your need for fertilizer.

Fertilize Appropriately

• Healthy lawns need regular doses of nitrogen, but applying too much can cause excessive top growth, promoting disease. Apply fertilizers in the fall, about two weeks after the last mowing, at a rate of 1 lb. of nitrogen for each 1,000 square feet of lawn. Make another application in late spring for Kentucky bluegrass lawns and other high-maintenance lawns.

Control Weeds

• Weeds are opportunistic plants, sneaking in to fill bare spots in unhealthy lawns. Proper lawn care encourages a dense, lush lawn and reduces the competition from weeds. However, even the healthiest lawns may have some weeds. Your options for controlling weeds depend on the severity of the problem, as well as your personal philosophy about herbicides.

  To reduce your dependency on herbicides, hand pull weeds before they go to seed. Over time, this one strategy can substantially reduce the weeds in your lawn. Use organic weed control options, such as corn gluten. Use herbicides to spot treat problem areas in your lawn. If you choose to use weed and feed products, follow package directions carefully, and apply them only as needed.