A quality lawn adds to the value of our homes and provides us with a safe place to play sports. Croquet is really tough to play on asphalt. As most lawn grass starts to green this spring, some areas may continue to look like straw. Rather than just loading up on green spray paint, Spring is a good time to evaluate your lawn conditions and start corrective procedures. Many lawns can be greatly enhanced just by changing the management practices.
Improper management includes mowing turf too short, improper fertilizing and watering.
Pesticides are often used as band aids to turf problems rather than evaluating and correcting management practices. Lawns that will respond the best to management improvements should already have a few basics such as acceptable grass species for the area and use, adequate density of grass plants, acceptable soil conditions, adequate light and small quantities of perennial grassy weeds. If improving management practices aren't enough, then consider replanting the lawn. Select the proper grass species for your conditions of use, environment and management level. All grass seed is not the sam,e and it is not just a matter of sun or shade mixes.