A well-maintained lawn and landscape can add five to seven percent to a property’s value. In addition to being beautiful, lawns reduce noise pollution, have a cooling effect during the hot seasons, and prevent soil erosion. Growing a lush, green lawn, however, may not always seem easy. Weeds, brown spots and diseases may appear to be the only things that want to thrive in your yard. Whatever type of lawn you want to grow, knowing the following growing techniques helps you establish a healthy, hearty lawn.

Grass seed can be spread by a drop or rotary tiller, using settings shown on the seed package. Fertilizer should be applied on the surface in addition to that tilled into the soil.

Watering is crucial. Keep the seedbed constantly moist to start germination. Water often, rather than deeply. Only the top inch of soil needs to be kept moist. Once germination starts, keep the area moist until the seedlings are well established.

Begin mowing as soon as the seedlings are about 3 inches tall. The way you mow your lawn has a significant effect on its health. Do not mow when soil is so wet that the moto mower may damage young plants. If weed seeds that were in the soil start to grow, do not use a weed killer until the young grass plants have been mowed three times.

Grass generally performs best when mowed at one of the higher settings on your mower, especially in hot summer weather. The mower blade should be kept sharp, and you should not cut off more than 1/3 of the length of the grass blades in a single mowing.

Once a week is usually sufficient as mowing frequency. In spring, when grass is growing more rapidly, mowing twice a week may sometimes be necessary to avoid removing more than 1/3 the length of the grass blades.

Grass cycling, leaving clippings on the lawn after power sweeper mowing, allows nutrients to return to the soil. Light clippings can decompose rapidly, nourishing the soil as they decay. Heavy clippings, however, can sometimes, smother grass, so using a mulching mower in such cases is recommended.