Bottom line: These nine lawn care tips will help you keep your lawn healthy and green: mow high and regularly, water deeply but infrequently, fertilize at the right time, test your soil, aerate, overseed, control weeds, manage thatch and stay proactive. Follow them as a simple year-round routine and your lawn will be thicker, deeper-rooted and more resistant to drought and disease.
Keeping your lawn healthy and looking great takes effort, but following these nine top lawn care tips will help you get the most out of your landscape.
9 lawn care tips for a healthy lawn
1. Mow high and often
One of the best lawn care tips is to mow regularly and at the proper height. Cutting too short stresses the grass and makes it more susceptible to disease, while allowing your grass to grow taller will help it develop a deeper root system. For most types of turfgrass, aim to mow when the grass is between two and three inches tall, and use a sharp blade for a clean cut. Mowing regularly — but not too short — helps your lawn stay thick and healthy.
2. Water early and deep
Compared with regular shallow watering, deep, infrequent irrigation is far better for your lawn. Watering promotes the roots to develop deeper into the soil, allowing plants to become more drought-resistant. Aim to water your grass around one inch every week, either at once or in a series of sessions over several days. Watering thoroughly and seldom is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your lawn.
3. Fertilize appropriately
Fertilizing your lawn is important for keeping it healthy, but you need to be sure to use the right type of fertilizer and apply it at the proper time. For most lawns, a good rule of thumb is to fertilize three times per year — once in the spring, summer and fall. Read the labels on your fertilizer so that you are applying the correct amount and following all safety instructions.
4. Test your soil
It is critical to start with good soil if you want a healthy lawn. The soil test results will provide you with helpful information about the nutrients that are available in your soil and how to adapt your fertilizer program as needed. Soil testing services are available through most state cooperative extension offices, or you can buy a test kit from a garden center or online retailer.
5. Aerate your lawn
Aerating your lawn — poking holes in the soil to allow air and water to reach the roots — is a vital aspect of maintaining healthy grass. Aeration aids in reducing compaction, improving drainage and encouraging a deeper root system. Lawn aeration should be performed once a year on most lawns, preferably in the fall, using durable and efficient tools. Renting a core aerator from a local tool rental shop is the usual way to get it done.
6. Overseed your lawn
Overseeding is the technique of incorporating grass seed into an existing lawn to thicken it up or improve its aesthetic appeal. Overseeding can help fill in bare spots and improve the overall health of your lawn. It is important to choose the right type of seed for your climate and soil type, and to water regularly until the new grass is established.
7. Control weeds
It is not only undesirable to have weeds in your yard, but they can also be detrimental to the health of your lawn. Weeds compete with your grass for water, nutrients and sunlight, and can quickly take over if left unchecked. To control weeds, it is important to use the right herbicide for your specific weed problem, and to apply it at the proper time. Pulling weeds by hand is also effective for small areas.
8. Manage thatch
Thatch is a covering of dead and living grass roots, stems and other organic matter that builds up between the soil surface and the green grass blades. A thin layer of thatch is normal, but too much can prevent water and nutrients from reaching the roots. To manage thatch, it is important to dethatch your lawn when needed, either with a dethatching rake or a power dethatcher.
9. Be proactive
The most effective strategy to maintain a healthy lawn is to be proactive. Regularly inspect your lawn for signs of stress, disease or pests, and address problems early, before they become serious. Keep an eye on the weather, too: before storm season, clear debris, check drainage and trim any dead branches, as described in our guide to preparing your home before storm season.
While a beautiful lawn may seem like it requires a lot of work, following these nine lawn care tips will make it much easier. With a little effort and consistency, you can have a lawn that is the envy of the neighborhood.
Frequently asked questions about lawn care tips
How often should I mow my lawn?
Mow regularly and keep the grass between two and three inches tall for most turfgrass. Avoid cutting it too short, which stresses the grass and makes it more vulnerable to disease.
How much should I water my lawn?
Aim for around one inch of water per week, applied deeply and infrequently, so roots grow deeper into the soil and the lawn becomes more drought-resistant.
When should I fertilize my lawn?
For most lawns, fertilize three times per year — in spring, summer and fall — using the right type of fertilizer and following the label instructions.
