Spread one-half inch of compost over an established lawn in the fall or spring. Rake the compost into the lawn, leaving half the grass blade exposed to sunlight and air. For a new lawn, mix compost into the soil to a depth of six inches or more. Separate fertilizers from herbicides. Use screened compost as a top dressing and fertilizer on the lawn.
Compost contributes organic matter and gradually releases nutrients to the soil.
Lawn Watering Home lawns in Michigan generally require 0.5 to 1.5 inches of water per week, applied in small amounts throughout the week. Light, frequent watering supports healthy grass which naturally resists disease and pests. Beneficial micro-organisms are kept active in the soil and stress to the grass is reduced. The depth of grass roots is influenced primarily by the temperature of the soil and the height of the grass blade-not the amount of water. This recommendation is based on more than six years of research on grass test plots and has been found to be an effective management approach on golf courses as well as home lawns.