Seven Tips for Getting a Great Front Lawn

You know all of those beautiful yards that you see on television and in the garden magazines? They didn't grow that way by sheer luck. Those lawns were planned. Some home owner had to learn that there was a lawn-building chore for almost every month of the year, and that some level of effort would be required to grow and maintain a lawn so that your front yard would look like the fairways at Augusta National. Depending somewhat upon the climate in your area, and the amount of naturally-occurring moisture your region receives on a yearly basis, the job may be either easier or harder in your neck of the woods. But, the homeowner committed to the goal can usually get a great looking lawn by just by knowing when to do certain tasks, and then setting up a calendar to get everything done in the right time period.

Now, while it is true that many new home constructions these days feature a ready-made lawn, those created by rolling out yards and yards of turf, it is also true that, unless that lawn is properly maintained, that beautiful store-bought sod will be dead and brown in a very short time. Proper watering, weed control, and fertilization are key parts of a having a showplace front lawn. But, the devil is in the details, and knowing how much and when to apply each of these components can mean the difference between making your neighbors jealous or re-seeding during every cool season. Follow the lawn tips below, and you might find a greener pasture to mow this year.

1. Good soil. Whenever you have the opportunity to start a new lawn, either by seeding or by sodding, make sure that the soil brought in is of good quality. Take the time to have the pH level checked, before broadcasting seeds or laying turf, and mix in any nutrients that your soil may be missing. If you are trying to bring an existing lawn up to par, and you have spots that won't even grow weeds, there is the chance that you will need to revitalize that area. Your county extension agent would be a good source for knowing where to have the soil tested, and knowing what nutrients will need to be added.

2. Use a Pre-Emergent Herbicide. While it costs a little money, application of a good pre-emergent in the early spring will go a long way toward keeping those broadleaf plants from strangling out your blades of grass. Remember that you cannot do your spring over-seeding if you have applied the pre-emergent chemical, or you will be wasting your time and your new lawn seeds. If you've over-seeded in the fall, and allowed the new grass to get started before winter arrived, putting down a pre-emergent in March (for most growing regions) should be safe.

3. Use Your Clippings. It is true that a yard cut with a bagging mower looks as neat as a pin. However, unless you are fighting a thatch problem with your lawn, those cut grass clippings will break down quickly, and should be used to provide nutrients for the yard. Even if you have a bagging mower, take the bag off occasionally and re-feed the lawn by allowing the clippings to scatter.

4. Raise That Blade. The theory is that, if you have the blades on your mower set really close to the ground, you only have to mow every ten days rather than every Saturday. Unfortunately, that is not always the best option for your lawn. Raising the blade and only cutting when the grass gets above about 2.5 inches helps to keep the weed growth strangled, and allows your lawn to hold moisture for a longer period of time.

5. Water Deep. Many people think that, during those really hot months, if we are thirsty, the lawn must be thirsty, too. Then the tendency is to water a little at a time, and water every day. The best way to water, however, is to provide about 1 to 2 inches of water once every five to seven days. Deep watering makes the root system of your lawn turf go down a little farther, encouraging healthier growth. On the other hand, if you insist on watering one-quarter of an inch every day, the weeds will love you for it. Oh, and by the way, you should water in the early morning, whenever possible. This reduces the chances disease development in your turf.

6. Fertilizer. If you've taken care of the soil nutrients from the beginning, feeding your lawn early in the summer, and lightly applying an over-winter feed is probably all you will need.

7. Watching Out for Critters. While you are watering and mowing, keep an eye out for insects and animals that may disrupt the health of your lawn. Moles looking for grubs can make your front yard feel like you're walking on a sponge, and will severely damage the root system of your grass. Brown areas can mean that you have a fungus that needs to be treated, and little yellow flowers may mean that you need to practice some weed control.

It's a year-round job, but having a nice lawn can make you the envy of the neighborhood.