If you have thatch in your lawn, use a dethatcher or core aeration machine. Avoid over-fertilizing your lawn. At most, fertilize the lawn in May, September and late November. Remember, the more you fertilize, the more frequently you will have to mow. Slow or controlled release fertilizer sources are preferred.
Lawns require about one to two inches of rain or irrigation water a week.
If water runs off lawn before one inch of irrigation is applied, turn the sprinkler off, let the water soak in for about a half hour, then continue watering. A can or rain gauge placed in an open area of the lawn can be used to measure amounts of rainfall and irrigation. Diagnose lawn problems and apply corrective measures when needed. When renovating a lawn, use grass varieties that are resistant to environmental stresses, diseases and certain insects. You may choose to collect your clippings every third time you mow, every other time or just in the spring and fall.