Six Steps to a Championship Calibur Lawn

Creating a stadium-caliber lawn doesn't have to take a lot of time, money or effort. This summer, follow these simple steps and tend to your natural turf in the morning and evening to create a yard that is championship caliber. 1. Rake. Raking a lawn removes dead grass and other debris, allowing you to control thatch and see bare or worn areas that need attention. It also permits new, young grass to grow more easily and increases soil contact when seeding. 2. Test your soil. Good soil is one of the essentials of a healthy lawn. A soil test is simple and inexpensive (do-it-yourself kits are available at local garden centers) and it provides valuable information about current pH levels. Simple amendments like lime or sulfur can be added to neutralize overly acidic or alkaline soil and help grass thrive. 3. Aerate. Older or heavily trafficked lawns can suffer from soil compaction. A core aerator, with hollow tines, will pull small plugs of soil out of the ground, allowing increased movement of water, nutrients and oxygen. Aeration can also increase the soil contact with new seeds and promote new growth. You can rent an aerator or hire a professional to do the work for you. 4. Seed. Early morning or evening summer hours offer cooler, optimal conditions for establishing new lawns or repairing thin or bare patches in existing lawns. Turf specialists at a garden store or local university extension office can help select the right seed for your area and usage. They can also point you toward the seed closest to your existing grass or suggest alternatives for problem areas. After the seeding is finished, water lightly but regularly, keeping the reseeded areas damp until the new grass grows in. 5. Control weeds. Healthy lawns essentially control weeds by squeezing them out. However, if crabgrass or dandelions invade, herbicides may help. Consult a garden specialist about which herbicide is right for your lawn and how to use it. Applying a pre-emergent herbicide in the spring before weed grass emerges can reduce problems down the line. If you've applied seed, keep in mind that herbicides can kill it, so use a product that will not affect new growth. For dandelions, digging them up is often effective, but a broadleaf herbicide may be applied. 6. Maintain the mower. Make sure your mower is in optimal condition with a lawn mower tune-up. Annual service should keep it running smoothly and should include changing the oil, changing the spark plug, swapping out or cleaning the air filter, and sharpening the blade. Most lawns are ready for cutting when the grass reaches a three-inch height, although newly seeded or recently overseeded lawns should be mowed closer to two inches until the grass is established. Mow with a frequency that allows for cutting less than one-third the height of the grass. An easy-to-follow rule: let grass grow no taller than three inches and trim to no shorter than two inches.