Bad Lawn, Bad Lawn. Whatcha Gonna Do?

You're not the only one keeping an eye on your yard. Neighbors and passers-by are giving it the once-over, too. Is your landscape an unsavory influence? Call in the Lawn Police!

Our own official, Dr. Trey Rogers (a.k.a. the Yard Doctor), has identified some common offenses that a few of our Ugly Lawn Contest winners have confessed to. Learn from their mistakes as we share his tickets to better looking lawns.

 

The Ticket: Get It Green and Growing

To go from a lawn that's brown and barely there to colorful and lush, the first step is to reduce soil compaction and thatch buildup by aerating (also known as cultivating). Rent a core cultivation machine that removes plugs of soil.

This will loosen the soil and help sun, air and nutrients better penetrate the ground. This particular yard could use three to four passes with the machine for the greatest benefit. (For more information, read our article: Aeration: Give Your Lawn a Breath of Fresh Air.) Next step? Fertilize with a "complete fertilizer." Look for a product that lists "N-P-K" on the label. For the full story on proper fertilization, read our article, Feeding Your Lawn. Once you've improved growing conditions with air and nutrients, keep it going with routine mowing and fertilizing.

 

The Ticket: Tidy Up and Step It Up

Transform an abandoned look into a much-loved look by regularly maintaining your landscape. Create a tended-to appearance by raking fallen leaves or using a mover to mulch them into your lawn.

Next, use an edger along sidewalks and the driveway for extra good grooming. To get the grass looking healthier overall, follow a regular mowing, watering and fertilizing schedule. Find great tips in our article, Prescription for a Healthy Lawn.

 

The Ticket: Get In the Groove

Are yard repairs in order? To take care of bare spots, fill them in with soil, preferably a sandy variety. Then, apply grass seed suited for your climate (Check out our Yard Care By Region section.)

Keep in mind, early fall is prime time for laying new seed. After you seed, apply a starter fertilizer over the area and cover with mulch. To encourage growth, make sure to fertilize the entire yard in early September, and then only the new areas again in October. And see that debris in the picture? Clear it out if you have it!