{"id":543,"date":"2018-04-04T17:07:37","date_gmt":"2018-04-04T17:07:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.wpengine.com\/?p=543"},"modified":"2025-03-26T17:29:54","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T17:29:54","slug":"expert-tips-for-healthy-lawn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/expert-tips-for-healthy-lawn\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Expert Tips for a Healthy Lawn"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re looking for tips for a healthy lawn, consistent mowing and watering are at the top of the list. However, you also must test your soil, fertilize, aerate, control weeds, keep your yard clean, reseed, and maintain your lawn equipment.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-cffa1beb-c45e-46ea-903b-46c204349950\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\" style=\"\">In this article, we\u2019ll cover:<\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column\"> \t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/expert-tips-for-healthy-lawn\/#0-how-to-maintain-a-healthy-lawn\" style=\"\">How to maintain a healthy lawn<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/expert-tips-for-healthy-lawn\/#1-1-mow-like-an-expert\" style=\"\">1. Mow like an expert<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/expert-tips-for-healthy-lawn\/#2-2-test-your-soil\" style=\"\">2. Test your soil<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/expert-tips-for-healthy-lawn\/#3-3-water-like-a-pro\" style=\"\">3. Water like a pro<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/expert-tips-for-healthy-lawn\/#4-4-apply-fertilizer-the-right-way\" style=\"\">4. Apply fertilizer the right way<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/expert-tips-for-healthy-lawn\/#5-5-aerate-to-let-your-lawn-breathe\" style=\"\">5. Aerate to let your lawn breathe<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/expert-tips-for-healthy-lawn\/#6-6-control-weeds\" style=\"\">6. Control weeds<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/expert-tips-for-healthy-lawn\/#7-7-keep-your-yard-clean\" style=\"\">7. Keep your yard clean<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/expert-tips-for-healthy-lawn\/#8-8-reseed-to-rejuvenate-your-lawn\" style=\"\">8. Reseed to rejuvenate your lawn<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/expert-tips-for-healthy-lawn\/#9-9-maintain-your-lawn-equipment\" style=\"\">9. Maintain your lawn equipment<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/expert-tips-for-healthy-lawn\/#10-let-the-experts-help-you-maintain-a-healthy-lawn\" style=\"\">Let the experts help you maintain a healthy lawn<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"0-how-to-maintain-a-healthy-lawn\"><span id=\"how-to-maintain-a-healthy-lawn\">How to maintain a healthy lawn<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The lawn is like the window to a property\u2019s soul. When you have a healthy lawn, it shows just how responsible and dedicated you are as a homeowner.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of course, it also benefits the turf itself because good health equates to better resistance to diseases and pests. So, take note of the following expert tips for a healthy lawn:<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-1-mow-like-an-expert\"><span id=\"1-mow-like-an-expert\">1. Mow like an expert<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_290201183.jpeg\" alt=\"cutting grass with gasoline lawn mower on the backyard\" class=\"wp-image-26289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_290201183.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_290201183-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_290201183-768x513.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_290201183-610x407.jpeg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/jo\/images\/man-cutting-grass-with-gasoline-lawn-mower-on-the-backyard-cropped-image-with-no-face\/290201183?asset_id=290201183\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rh2010<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regular mowing can make your lawn look clean and sleek. However, you must change the mowing pattern periodically to prevent dead spots and promote healthy grass growth. Also, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/signs-cutting-grass-too-short\/\">mowing too short<\/a> can make your grass vulnerable to diseases, high heat, and pests.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The key is to <strong>mow with the right height based on the grass species<\/strong>. Refer to the table below for the recommended mowing height for the most common types of grass:<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Grass type<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Recommended mowing height (inches)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Annual ryegrass<\/td><td>1.5 \u2013 2<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Bahiagrass<\/td><td>3 \u2013 4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Bermudagrass (common)<\/td><td>1 \u2013 2<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Bermudagrass (hybrid)<\/td><td>0.5 \u2013 1.5<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Buffalograss<\/td><td>1 \u2013 2<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Centipedegrass<\/td><td>1 \u2013 2<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Colonial bentgrass<\/td><td>0.5 \u2013 1<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Creeping bentgrass<\/td><td>0.5 or less<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Dichondra<\/td><td>0.5 \u2013 0.75<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Fine fescue<\/td><td>2.5 \u2013 4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Hard fescue<\/td><td>1.5 \u2013 2.5<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Kentucky bluegrass<\/td><td>2 \u2013 3<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Kikuyugrass<\/td><td>1 \u2013 1.5<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Perennial ryegrass<\/td><td>1.5 \u2013 2.5<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Red fescue<\/td><td>1.5 \u2013 2.5<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>St. Augustinegrass<\/td><td>2.5 \u2013 3<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Tall fescue<\/td><td>1.5 \u2013 3<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Zoysiagrass<\/td><td>0.5 \u2013 1<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you don\u2019t want the hassle of mowing your own lawn, you can hire a pro to do it on your behalf. Professional <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/lawn-mowing-cost\/\"><strong>lawn mowing costs<\/strong><\/a><strong> around $35 to $100 per session<\/strong>. It\u2019s a small price to pay in exchange for having more time to do other more important things.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-2-test-your-soil\"><span id=\"2-test-your-soil\">2. Test your soil<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_281354994.jpeg\" alt=\"Nutrients soil meter. Measure soil for nitrogen content with digital device.\" class=\"wp-image-26292\" style=\"width:800px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_281354994.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_281354994-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_281354994-768x513.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_281354994-610x407.jpeg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/jo\/images\/nutrients-soil-meter-measure-soil-for-nitrogen-content-with-digital-device-woman-farmer-in-a-garden\/281354994?asset_id=281354994\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Deyan Georgiev<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For your lawn to be healthy, you must keep the soil in optimal condition. However, it\u2019s not as simple as buying just about any bag of fertilizer and applying it.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You must determine your soil\u2019s composition via soil testing. Without the recommendations from a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-read-soil-test-report\/\">soil test result<\/a>, you might unknowingly add nutrients your soil is already abundant with rather than what it actually needs.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Note:<\/strong> Regardless of the nutrients your soil needs, you must <strong>maintain your soil\u2019s pH between 6.0 and 6.5<\/strong>. Anything lower can cause <a href=\"https:\/\/ipm.ucanr.edu\/PMG\/GARDEN\/PLANTS\/DISORDERS\/phproblems.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">slower plant growth<\/a>, while a high alkaline content will discolor your turf.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-3-water-like-a-pro\"><span id=\"3-water-like-a-pro\">3. Water like a pro<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/AdobeStock_290201676-1-1.jpeg\" alt=\"Man watering green lawn, sprinkling water on the grass with water pistol\" class=\"wp-image-30503\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/AdobeStock_290201676-1-1.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/AdobeStock_290201676-1-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/AdobeStock_290201676-1-1-768x513.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/AdobeStock_290201676-1-1-610x407.jpeg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/jo\/images\/man-watering-green-lawn-sprinkling-water-on-the-grass-with-water-pistol-close-up-with-no-face\/290201676?asset_id=290201676\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rh2010<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Watering your lawn is not rocket science, but you still need to do it efficiently. This way, you not only conserve water but also help your grass to grow a deep and healthy root system. Here are some pointers to help you water like a pro:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Water more deeply to encourage grassroots to grow more deeply.<\/li>    <li>For efficiency, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-water-lawn\/\">schedule your watering<\/a> between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. to minimize evaporation due to the sun\u2019s heat.<\/li>    <li>While arcing sprinklers look beautiful when turned on, they actually waste more water than those with low trajectories. So, it\u2019s best to set up your <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/choosing-right-type-sprinkler-for-lawn\/\">sprinkler system<\/a> to water close to the ground.<\/li>    <li>Check the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weather.gov\/forecastmaps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">weather forecast<\/a> data to predict the amount of rainfall your lawn will get for the week. Using it as a guideline can help prevent overwatering your turf which could otherwise lead to lawn diseases.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The goal is to <strong>wet the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches every week<\/strong>. Larry Stein, extension horticulturist at Texas A&amp;M AgriLife Extension, shares that it could take 1\/2 inch of water for soil high in sand to achieve this, while <a href=\"https:\/\/aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu\/earthkind\/drought\/efficient-use-of-water-in-the-garden-and-landscape\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">soil high in clay<\/a> would usually require an inch of water.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Note:<\/strong> If you\u2019re watering new grass, you should mist it every day to keep the top inch of the soil consistently moist but not drowning the lawn.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-4-apply-fertilizer-the-right-way\"><span id=\"4-apply-fertilizer-the-right-way\">4. Apply fertilizer the right way<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/fertilizer-in-hand.jpeg\" alt=\"Fertilizing plants, lawns, trees and flowers. Gardener in gloves holds white fertilizer balls on grass\" class=\"wp-image-24583\" style=\"width:800px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/fertilizer-in-hand.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/fertilizer-in-hand-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/fertilizer-in-hand-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/fertilizer-in-hand-610x406.jpeg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/jo\/images\/fertilizing-plants-lawns-trees-and-flowers-gardener-in-gloves-holds-white-fertilizer-balls-on-grass\/219157818\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">adragan<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Apart from selecting the <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/organic-vs-inorganic-fertilizers\/\">right fertilizer<\/a> based on your soil test results, you also must use the correct <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/ways-to-apply-fertilizer\/\">application method<\/a>. Remember, <strong>the goal is to ensure the soil has the nutrients your grass requires to stay healthy<\/strong>.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most vital macronutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Fortunately, the <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/selecting-and-using-inorganic-fertilizers\/\">fertilizers available in stores<\/a> always show their N-P-K ratio, which is the amount of macronutrients in each bag. For instance, an N-P-K ratio of 30-0-4 means 30% nitrogen, 0% phosphorus, and 4% potassium.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to lawn experts, you should <strong>apply fertilizers when your turf is actively growing<\/strong>. So, the exact timing will depend on the type of grass you have. You can check our complete guide on \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-is-the-best-time-to-fertilize-lawn\/\">When is the Best Time to Fertilize Your Lawn,<\/a>\u201d but here\u2019s an overview for quick reference:<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Type of grass<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Best time to fertilize<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cool-season grasses<\/td><td>1st round: late fall<br>2nd round: early spring to late spring<br>3rd round: <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/late-summer-lawn-fertilizer\/\">late summer<\/a> to early fall<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Warm-season grasses<\/td><td>1st round: late spring to early summer<br>2nd round: late summer to early fall<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Professional <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/lawn-fertilization-cost\/\"><strong>lawn fertilization costs<\/strong><\/a><strong> anywhere from $0.02 to $0.07 per square foot<\/strong>. So, if you don\u2019t want to make a mistake when fertilizing your lawn, you can hire a lawn care pro instead.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-5-aerate-to-let-your-lawn-breathe\"><span id=\"5-aerate-to-let-your-lawn-breathe\">5. Aerate to let your lawn breathe<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration.png\" alt=\"illustration showing how aeration works and the benefits of aerating soil\" class=\"wp-image-5850\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration.png 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration-768x384.png 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration-610x305.png 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration-390x195.png 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Infographic by Juan Rodriguez <\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For your lawn to stay healthy, your turf\u2019s root system needs continuous access to water, oxygen, and nutrients. So, if the <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-tell-compacted-soil\/\">soil gets compacted<\/a>, it could severely hamper the delivery of these vital elements.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To reap the <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/benefits-of-lawn-fertilization\/\">benefits of applying fertilizer<\/a> and help oxygen and water penetrate your soil deeply, you need to aerate your lawn at the right time. The optimal schedule will depend on the type of grass you have:<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Grass species<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Best time to aerate<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Bahiagrass<\/td><td>Late spring to early summer<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Bermudagrass<\/td><td>Late spring to early summer<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Carpetgrass<\/td><td>Late spring to early summer<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Centipedegrass<\/td><td>Late spring to early summer<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Creeping bentgrass<\/td><td>Early fall<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Kentucky bluegrass<\/td><td>Early fall<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Perennial ryegrass<\/td><td>Early fall<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>St. Augustinegrass<\/td><td>Late spring to early summer<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Tall fescue<\/td><td>Early fall<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Zoysiagrass<\/td><td>Late spring to early summer<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For best results, <strong>aerate your lawn every one to three years<\/strong>. You also should aerate before overseeding. Check the following guides for more details on the best time to aerate and how to perform the task:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-to-aerate-lawn\/\">When to Aerate Your Lawn<\/a>\u201d<\/li>    <li>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-aerate-lawn\/\">How to Aerate Your Lawn<\/a>\u201d<\/li>    <li>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-aerate-a-lawn-by-hand\/\">How to Aerate a Lawn by Hand<\/a>\u201d<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you decide to hire a pro, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/lawn-aeration-cost\/\"><strong>lawn aeration costs<\/strong><\/a><strong> between $82 and $251<\/strong> on average. The actual cost may vary depending on the size of your lawn and other factors.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-6-control-weeds\"><span id=\"6-control-weeds\">6. Control weeds<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Weed_control_for_healthy_lawn-1.jpg\" alt=\"weeds amongst grass in a lawn\" class=\"wp-image-30186\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Weed_control_for_healthy_lawn-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Weed_control_for_healthy_lawn-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Weed_control_for_healthy_lawn-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Weed_control_for_healthy_lawn-1-610x343.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/melanie-joseph\/\">Melanie Joseph<\/a> | Lawn Love<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prevention is the best way to <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/lawn-weed-control\/\">control weeds<\/a>. Some of the conditions that can encourage weeds to invade and take over your lawn include:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Soil compaction<\/li>    <li>Low-mowed grass<\/li>    <li>Undernourished grass<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But if you maintain the health of your lawn, these conditions can be eliminated naturally. That\u2019s because healthy grass can out-compete weeds like <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-is-chamberbitter\/\">chamberbitter<\/a> and stop their germination.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To give your lawn more aid against these trespassers, you can use weed control herbicides:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Apply a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-pre-emergent-herbicides\/\">pre-emergent herbicide<\/a> if the weeds are still germinating.<\/li>    <li>If the weeds have already grown, you can use a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-post-emergent-herbicides\/\">post-emergent herbicide<\/a> instead.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want a non-toxic option, you can get rid of weeds with a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-make-homemade-weed-killer\/\">homemade weed killer<\/a> using vinegar, rock salt, or boiling water. However, this approach can negatively impact your soil\u2019s quality.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another option is to go the old-fashioned way \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/non-toxic-weed-control\/#2-2-hand-weeding\">hand weeding<\/a>. Identify the weeds in your turf and tug them out, but you have to make sure to pull all the roots. To avoid playing tug-of-war with the roots, hand-pull the weeds when the soil is moist.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-7-keep-your-yard-clean\"><span id=\"7-keep-your-yard-clean\">7. Keep your yard clean<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"483\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_300998577-1.jpeg\" alt=\"Seasonal raking of leaves in the yard, putting leaves in a bag\" class=\"wp-image-26354\" style=\"width:800px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_300998577-1.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_300998577-1-300x181.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_300998577-1-768x464.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_300998577-1-610x368.jpeg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/seasonal-raking-of-leaves-in-the-garden-concept-of-cleaning-and-caring-for-the-garden-man-rakes-withered-and-colorful-leaves-in-the-garden-autumn-cleaning-before-winter-spring-cleaning-garden\/300998577?asset_id=300998577\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sebastian<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want a healthy lawn, it\u2019s crucial to remove any unsightly debris and trash that may be littering your yard.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also, you may not notice a thick <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-is-thatch\/\">layer of thatch<\/a> consisting of dead grass and other organic material accumulating on the topmost part of your soil. When thatch builds up to more than half an inch, it can block nutrients, sunlight, oxygen, and water from penetrating the soil and reaching the grassroots.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since keeping your yard clean is time-consuming and daunting, hiring a lawn care professional is the better option. You can check the following pricing guides to see how much it costs to hire a pro for the following jobs:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/yard-clean-up-cost\/\">Yard cleanup<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/lawn-dethatching-cost\/\">Lawn dethatching<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/shrub-and-bush-removal-cost\/\">Shrub and bush removal<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/landscape-curbing-cost\/\">Landscape curbing<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/hedge-trimming-cost\/\">Hedge trimming<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/grass-removal-cost\/\">Grass removal<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/bush-trimming-cost\/\">Bush trimming<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/weed-control-cost\/\">Weed control<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/leaf-removal-cost\/\">Leaf removal<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-8-reseed-to-rejuvenate-your-lawn\"><span id=\"8-reseed-to-rejuvenate-your-lawn\">8. Reseed to rejuvenate your lawn<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/AdobeStock_313170896-1.jpeg\" alt=\"person spreading grass seeds\" class=\"wp-image-30502\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/AdobeStock_313170896-1.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/AdobeStock_313170896-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/AdobeStock_313170896-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/AdobeStock_313170896-1-610x406.jpeg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/sowing-grain-female-hand-sowing-grass-seeds\/313170896?asset_id=313170896\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wlodzimierz<\/a> | Adobe Stock | <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just like anything in nature, grasses mature over time and eventually die. Lawn diseases, pests, and <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-grasses-for-high-traffic-areas\/\">heavy foot traffic<\/a> also can wear out your grass. Even with utmost care, your lawn can eventually get thin and wither away.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To keep your lawn healthy and looking great year-round, your <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/lawn-care-cost\/\">comprehensive lawn care plan<\/a> must include overseeding. It involves spreading grass seeds over an existing turf. If <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-is-overseeding\/\">overseeding<\/a> is done right, you can have a consistently green and lush lawn without starting from scratch.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For proper timing, you must consider the type of grass:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Cool-season grasses:<\/strong> You can overseed in the fall and early spring \u2013 when soil temperatures are around 50 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/li>    <li><strong>Warm-season grasses:<\/strong> Spring is the best time to overseed these grasses \u2013 when the soil temperature warms to over 65 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/li> <\/ul>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-9-maintain-your-lawn-equipment\"><span id=\"9-maintain-your-lawn-equipment\">9. Maintain your lawn equipment<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/AdobeStock_439657277-1.jpeg\" alt=\"a lawn mower blade\" class=\"wp-image-30504\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/AdobeStock_439657277-1.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/AdobeStock_439657277-1-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/AdobeStock_439657277-1-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/AdobeStock_439657277-1-610x343.jpeg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/a-lawn-mower-blade\/439657277?asset_id=439657277\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alan<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This tip may not affect your lawn directly. But if you have dull or rusty equipment, it\u2019ll be challenging to maintain a healthy lawn. For instance, you can\u2019t give your lawn a clean cut using a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-sharpen-lawn-mower-blades\/\">mower with dull blades<\/a>, as it can tear the grass and further result in discoloration.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even if your mower blades are sharp, you should maintain a clean undercarriage. Typically, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/lawn-mower-service-cost\/\">lawn mower service costs<\/a> anywhere from $10 to $275, depending on the type of service. But if you want your mower to keep running smoothly, remember to have it tuned up regularly. The same applies to your aerator or spreader.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10-let-the-experts-help-you-maintain-a-healthy-lawn\"><span id=\"let-the-experts-help-you-maintain-a-healthy-lawn\">Let the experts help you maintain a healthy lawn<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These tips can help make your lawn vibrant and lush. But if you consider all the combined tasks, you\u2019ll need to dedicate a lot of time and resources to do them.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the rewards are definitely worth the effort, not every homeowner has the time and patience to work on their lawn. When you hire a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/lawn-care\">lawn care pro<\/a> in your area, you can achieve the same, or even better, result without breaking a sweat.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle wp-block-ub-content-toggle-block\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-block-13462c64-4ef6-4076-8118-481cee3eadca\" data-mobilecollapse=\"true\" data-desktopcollapse=\"true\" data-preventcollapse=\"false\" data-showonlyone=\"false\"> <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-1a708717-b74c-4edc-86b0-7fc292f44072\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-13462c64-4ef6-4076-8118-481cee3eadca\" tabindex=\"0\"> \t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-13462c64-4ef6-4076-8118-481cee3eadca\" style=\"color: #000000; \"><strong>Sources:<\/strong><\/p> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div> \t\t<\/div> \t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-13462c64-4ef6-4076-8118-481cee3eadca\">  <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ipm.ucanr.edu\/PMG\/GARDEN\/PLANTS\/DISORDERS\/phproblems.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/ipm.ucanr.edu\/PMG\/GARDEN\/PLANTS\/DISORDERS\/phproblems.html<\/a><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.weather.gov\/forecastmaps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.weather.gov\/forecastmaps\/<\/a><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu\/earthkind\/drought\/efficient-use-of-water-in-the-garden-and-landscape\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu\/earthkind\/drought\/efficient-use-of-water-in-the-garden-and-landscape\/<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>  <\/div> \t\t<\/div> <\/div>   <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Main Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rawpixel.com\/image\/5920488\/field-grass-free-public-domain-cc0-photo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rawpixel<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Apart from proper mowing and watering, other tips for a healthy lawn include controlling weeds, yard cleaning, and fertilizing the right way.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":106,"featured_media":30483,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[126],"tags":[147],"class_list":["post-543","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lawn-care-tips","tag-lawn-care"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/image-from-rawpixel-id-5920488-jpeg-1.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Melanie Joseph","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/melanie-joseph\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/543","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/106"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=543"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/543\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42853,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/543\/revisions\/42853"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30483"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=543"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=543"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=543"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}