Daily Real Estate News  |  September 10, 2007  |   Creating a Beautiful Autumn Lawn
Nothing improves curb appeal more than a thick, green lawn. Though summer is drawing to a close, now is just the time to stimulate a strong network of roots and top growth on lawn grasses.

Here’s a short, nine-step course in keeping grass healthy. Much of the information comes from "Better Lawns Step by Step," by Joe Provey and Kris Robinson.

• Mow regularly. Set the mower for 3 to 3 ˝ inches. Cut no more than one-third of the blade height. Cutting too much shocks the grass and taller blades of grass allow fewer weeds to break through.

• Keep the lawn mower blades sharp. Dull blades tear grass.

• Get rid of the leaves. Heavy accumulations of leaves can weaken and kill grass.

• Aerate regularly. Rent a core aerator that removes plugs of soil instead of the kind that just punches holes. Go over the lawn three or four times.

• Spread compost. Sprinkle it into the aeration holes. Don’t cover the blades of grass.

• Use fertilizer. Lay 40 to 50 percent organic fertilizer over the soil surface after aerating and sprinkling compost.

• Get rid of weeds. Use pre-emergent weed killer spring and fall. Pull the surviving weeds by hand. Only use chemical spot treatment if pulling them out doesn’t work.

• Overseed existing lawns. Use three to four pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet of grass. Choose top quality seed appropriate for your region.

• Water, water, water.

Source: The Washington Post, Joel M. Lerner (09/08/07)