- Mowing the lawn on a regular basis is one of the most, if not the single most, important steps to maintaining healthy grass. Before you even turn the key to your lawn mower's ignition, though, you need to take some precautions. First, comb the yard for any debris that may have accumulated since your last mow like rocks, sticks and sports equipment. Check your mower's gas and oil, and be especially sure that the blades are sharp -- dull blades are not only ineffective but also bad for your lawn. When you do mow, never cut off more than 1/3 of your grass. For example, if you are maintaining a 3-inch lawn, cut it when it reaches 4.5 inches.
- If the warmer months don't bring much precipitation in your area, you may need to water your lawn; you must be careful, however, not to over-water. Watering in either the early morning or late evening helps prevent water loss from evaporation, but if you water in the early morning, you also minimize the risk of fungus. If your grass is not springy -- that is, if it does resume its shape after being walked on -- it may be too dry. While 1 inch of water per week is a general rule, this also depends on where you live.
- Testing your soil helps you identify whether you should feed your lawn, so dig into the earth and see how it looks. If you have less than 4 inches of topsoil, try adding a layer of compost to your yard. About 1/2 inch of organic compost per year is a good way to start. Do not over-fertilize your yard because doing so can promote weed growth. For that same reason, fertilize only in spring or early fall. When you cut your grass, leave the clippings on the lawn; the nutrients facilitate healthy growth.
- While pests like grubs can cause damage to your lawn, so can improper pest control. Insecticides, for example, may cause brown spots in your grass -- a natural alternative like nematodes eliminates that risk while removing the grubs that destroy your lawn. Even female dogs can cause damage to your lawn, so if you have one, monitor the areas where she urinates. Her urine can dry out the soil, killing the grass that grows there or causing distinct green spots.