Lawn Care Guides
Practical guides to help you get the most out of your lawn. From fertilizer calculations to seasonal schedules.
How to Water Your Lawn the Right Way
Most homeowners water their lawn too often, too lightly, or at the wrong time of day — and any one of those mistakes leads to shallow roots, fungus, or a stressed-out lawn by July. Here's the simple watering routine that builds deep roots, saves water, and keeps your grass green through the hottest stretches of summer.
The Best Mowing Patterns for a Healthier, Better-Looking Lawn
Most homeowners mow the same direction every single time — and it's quietly causing soil compaction, grass lean, and an uneven lawn. The fix is simple: rotate your mowing pattern. From classic stripes to diagonals to the showstopping checkerboard, here's a guide to the best mowing patterns, how to execute them, and a simple four-week rotation schedule that keeps your lawn looking its best all season.
"Can't I Just Plant Grass Seed Now?" — Why May Is the Wrong Time (And When to Do It Right)
Grass seed planted in May will probably sprout — but sprouting and surviving are two very different things. The real problem is that new seedlings won't have enough time to develop deep roots before summer heat and drought stress arrive. Here's why fall is dramatically better for seeding cool-season grass, and what to do with those bare spots in the meantime.
Dandelions: How to Get Rid of Them, Control Them, and What to Do With Them If You Don't
Dandelions are one of the toughest weeds a homeowner faces — deep taproots, prolific seeding, and zero respect for pre-emergent herbicide. But with the right combination of 2,4-D treatments and manual removal tools like the Garden Weasel, you can get them under control. And if you're pulling them anyway, you might as well know that dandelion leaves, roots, and flowers are surprisingly useful — from herbal tea to salads to homemade syrup.
Pre-Emergent Herbicide: The Secret Weapon Against Weeds (And When to Use It)
If you wait until you can see the weeds, you've already lost the battle. Pre-emergent herbicide works by stopping weed seeds — like crabgrass — from ever germinating in the first place. But it only works if you apply it at the right soil temperature, water it in properly, and follow a split application schedule. Here's everything you need to know to get it right this season.
How to Measure Your Lawn (And Why It's the First Step in Any Lawn Care Program)
Most homeowners skip the most important first step in lawn care: measuring their lawn. Without knowing your square footage — broken down by zone — you're guessing how much fertilizer, weed killer, or seed to apply. And guessing usually means wasting product, burning grass, or getting results that just don't show up. Here's how to measure your lawn the right way, and why doing it in zones makes every application more accurate.
When to Start Your Lawn Care Program: A Soil Temperature Guide
Every spring, homeowners rush out to fertilize the moment the weather warms up — and wonder why their lawn doesn't respond. The secret isn't what you're applying, it's when. Soil temperature, not the date on the calendar, is what tells you when your grass is actually ready for feeding, seeding, and weed prevention.
Your Complete Spring Lawn Care Checklist (Month-by-Month)
Spring lawn care doesn't have to feel overwhelming — it just needs to happen in the right order. This month-by-month checklist walks you through exactly what to do in March, April, and May for both cool-season and warm-season grasses, so you're always working with your lawn instead of against it. From pre-emergent timing to fertilizing to mowing, here's everything you need to have a great-looking lawn by summer.
April Showers and Overgrown Grass: How to Mow Right When Spring Gets Away From You
April rain is great for your lawn — until it keeps you off the mower long enough for the grass to get out of hand. Wet clippings, overgrown grass, and skipped weekends are a recipe for yellow patches, clumping, and even fungal disease. Here's how to mow the right way this spring, what to do when your lawn gets away from you, and the one rule you should never break with your mower.