You have heard the term “Curb Appeal” in reference to houses. In order to enhance your home’s “curb appeal”, a great looking lawn is a must. Easily said, but how do you get & keep that great looking lawn? Here are some tips that are sure to create & keep a great looking lawn & enhance your property “Curb Appeal”.

1 . Have your soil tested by your local Cooperative Extension Service. Find out what your lawn needs.

2. Fertilize 3 to 5 times per year on a regular schedule that is appropriate for your lawn grass. Each type of lawn grass & area of the country will have somewhat different requirements. Fertilizers available today are high in Nitrogen or (N), low in phosphorus (P) or the middle number of the fertilize analysis on the fertilizer bag & medium amount of potassium (K). Look for a fertilizer with a analysis like 25(N)-3(P)-11(K). Most experts would recommend from 1/2 to 1 lb of actual N to the application. Example, with the 25%(N) from above (25% x 1/2(N)lb = 2 lbs of a fertilizer 25-3-11 be applied to 1000 sq ft or 25% x 1 lb = 4 lbs per 1000 sq ft. If you have any question or concern, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service for your local requirements.

3. Mow your lawn as high as you can during the hot summer. This will provide protection from drying out & help to shade the ground to stop water loss. There is more. This saves on watering & helps to crowd out weeds. Mowing at a lower height during early spring should be fine as it is usually a wetter time of the year.

4. Water 1″ to 1-1/2″ per week, depending upon rain fall. amounts watering lightly promotes a shallow root system which is not good when the hot, dry summer arrives. Over watering will cause roots to rot. OK. So, a soaking once per week is much better for a good lawn. Remember, adjust the amount of water you are adding by the amount of rainfall.

5. Aerate at least once a year. This will promote root growth & allow water, fertilizer & other nutrients to enter the root system more readily. It will help to reverse the soil compaction that has taken place the result of mowing with a large riding mowers. If you add the weight of the large mower & the person riding, you have many 100 pounds running around your lawn. If you have a low growing small leafed weed, it is knotweed & you have a compacted soil condition.

6. Keep the mower blades sharp. Dull mower blades rips the ends of the grass blades & causes a gray looking condition across the yard. If you do not have a electric grind stone, find a local mower shop or hardware store to sharpen the blade at least a couple times a mowing seasons.

7. Mowing more often will encourage your lawn to grow a thicker turf. Do not cut more than 1/3 of grass height off at one cutting.

8. Control weeds with a lawn herbicide throughout the growing season. For homeowners, ortho weed-B-gone works great. The best defense against weeds is a lush, thick lawn that crowds out weeds.

9. Mulch or not the grass clipping that is a big question.
a. Bluegrass – NO
b. Bermuda – NO
c. Zoysia – NO
d. Fescue – Maybe if the grass is not too long cutting.
e. St. Augustine – YES
f. Centipede – YES
In Bluegrass lawns, I have seen a layer build-up of thratch to 1- 1/2″-2″ thick. When this happens the roots become shallow with 2″ thick. When this happens the roots become shallow with no roots into the soil at all. Insects & diseases like a thick thratch layer as well. If you want to mulch your grass, you may find problems overtime.

10. Try to mow in different directions each time you mow. This will help stop compaction & ruts from the mower’s wheels.

11. Watch for dead patches in your lawn. This may indicate insect or disease damage. Treatment should be made only after you know for sure what’s causing the brown areas. Again, your Cooperative Extension Service can shed some light on what the problem is & the proper cure.

Lawrence L. Hoyle has been trained & has work in the Landscape Profession for 52 years. Landscape Designer for 46 years & was on the Extension Faculty of Purdue University for 12 years. His main website is http://www.web-landscape-design-ideas.com Online Landscape Design Service For Homeowners & Landscape Contractors. “Plan Before You Plant”