Tip 1: Apply a preemergence herbicide to stop crabgrass
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Spreading herbicide
Stop crabgrass by spreading a preemergence herbicide after your second mowing.
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Close-up of herbicide
Use a broadcast spreader to apply the dry granules.
The easiest way to stop crabgrass is to nail it before it starts growing. Apply a preemergence herbicide after your
second mowing in the spring. Crabgrass grows from
seeds scattered in previous years. The herbicide keeps those seeds from germinating. The seeds may remain viable for several years, so it’s best to apply herbicide every spring. One springtime application will vastly reduce the need to attack crabgrass later in the year
once it has sprouted. For more information on fighting crabgrass, type “weed” in the search box above.
Tip 2: Add mulch to protect trees and avoid trimming
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Mulching a young tree
Mulch provides a buffer zone to keep lawnmowers and weed whips away from young trees.
Clipping the grass around trees by
hand is time-consuming. By adding
a 4-in.-deep ring of mulch, you eliminate
that chore. You'll also better protect newly
planted trees and bushes. Nursery pros
report that the most common reason
young trees die is that lawn mowers and
weed whips damage the bark. For a neater
look, surround the mulch with a plastic,
metal or brick border.
Tip 3: Set you mower blade at the right height to control weeds
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Set the mower blade height
Measure the cutting height to match the ideal length for the type of grass in your yard.
Cutting grass too short weakens
it. Longer grass grows stronger
and thicker and crowds out weeds.
Weed seeds can't germinate easily since
they don't get much light. Established
weeds have a tougher time competing
with the surrounding turf.
Each type of grass has an ideal
mowing height to maintain its health
and thickness. It's about 2-1/2 in. for most
cold-climate species. Cut most warm-climate
grasses a bit shorter: 1-1/2 to 2 in.
If you're not sure of your grass type, take a
sample to a local nursery. Or type "identify
grass" into an online search engine for
help. Although most lawns contain a mix
of grass types, they should have similar
ideal cutting heights.
Video: Mowing the Lawn to the Right Height
There is more to a healthy lawn than watering and fertilizing. Mowing the lawn to the right height is important for healthy grass. Travis Larson, senior editor at The Family Handyman, will show you how to determine what height is optimal for cutting your grass. Each type of grass has a recommended cutting height.
Tip 4: Plant hardy ground covers in shady areas
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Deep shade
It’s almost impossible to grow grass in deep shade. Plant ground covers instead.
Grass is a sun-loving plant. It typically
needs six to eight hours of
sunlight daily for good health. While
several shade-tolerant species may do
OK under trees and in other sheltered
spots, it's more likely that you'll end up
with weeds, scraggly grass and bare
ground. It's much better to plant a
shade garden or a shade-tolerant
ground cover that in a few years will
blanket the area like a green carpet.
And you won't have to mow. A local
nursery expert will advise you on
which plants and ground covers do
best in your region.
Tip 5: Build paths that you can mow right over
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Easy-mow path
Set path heights so you can mow over the top. You’ll eliminate the grass-trimming chore.
Paths that conform to the landscape require less upkeep than more formal paths that include steps, walls and curbs. The key is to set the stones or pavers no higher than 1 in. above ground level. Then you can mow right
over them—no trimming!
Tip 6: Fertilize in the fall
If you want the best lawn in town, fertilize four times a year. But you can keep it simple and still have a great lawn if you only fertilize once—in the fall. Choose a fertilizer that’s labeled 4-1-2. (Those numbers refer to the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in
the fertilizer.) Better yet, ask an expert at a garden center for advice about the best fertilizer blend for your grass type and local soil conditions. Apply the fertilizer about three weeks before the last mowing of the season. Fertilizing in the fall provides energy and nutrients for the
grass roots as they multiply in cooler weather before the grass goes dormant. The roots store food for the winter as well, which gives the grass an initial growth spurt when it emerges from dormancy in the spring.
Tip 7: Install mowing borders
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Brick mowing border
A mowing border eliminates the grass-clipping chore.
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Mower on border
The mower runs right over the border and cuts every blade of grass.
Mowing borders keep grass from growing along
flower beds, walls, fences and other obstacles where your lawn mower can't reach. You can run your mower right over the borders and clip off every blade of
grass. You'll save time and effort because you won't have to go back and trim later.
For long-term success, follow these two guidelines: (1) Install a border that's at least 4 in. deep.This keeps grass roots from creeping under the border and sprouting in the flower bed or along the fence. (2) Set the top of the border 1/2 to 1 in. above the ground. This keeps grass
from creeping over the border.
Tip 8: Mulch planting beds for less weeding and watering
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Mulching a planting bed
A 4-in. layer of mulch will eliminate most weeds.
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Two common types of mulch
Wood products gradually decompose and enrich the soil.
A layer of mulch, usually shredded wood or bark, vastly reduces gardening chores. It discourages
weeds by shutting out light to the soil and keeping weed
seeds from germinating. It reduces the need for watering
by slowing evaporation. And it enriches the soil as it
breaks down, reducing the need for fertilizer.
Apply a 4-in. layer of mulch to the bare soil for
best results. It'll gradually decompose, so you'll have
to replenish it every few years. For more information,
type “mulch” in the search box above.
