Inch By Inch

And row by row, I WILL get this lawn to grow.

Our lawn looks awful. I have been obsessed with it for quite some time now. The neighbors laugh at me, but that's OK. My lawn WILL look good by next year. Last weekend we spent a few hours aerating and overseeding. We had the weather on our side, because it has been rainy ever since and that means no watering for us.

A few things to know about lawn maintenance:

• Number one. Those ugly clumpy weeds that I could pull out in my sleep? Well, that would be crabgrass. I've got a whole front yard full of it. Crabgrass dies when the first frost hits, but it's seeds are everywhere. To prevent crabgrass for the next season, a good crabgrass control must be applied in early Spring.
  


• Number two. Grass seed must be planted in the Spring or Fall (this I actually did know) and has to be watered for 10 days straight.
  


• Number three. We live in what's called a transitional zone. That means that unlike Pittsburgh and Chicago, we live in a warmer climate with clay and sand, instead of regular dirt. We have clay. Turf Tall Fescue is the type of grass that is ideal for this area. It grows in clumps and since we never allow it to grow high enough to seed, we must overseed when there are patches or if we want to thicken our lawn.
  


• Number four. Mowing matters. Keep blade high and sharp. (we knew this too) This prevents drying out and ensures a clean even cut.

• Number five. Lawn Ph is important. This should come as no surprise since I've studied skin care and my husband is an expert in human nutrition. Growing living lawns are no exception. Our Ph was low, so lime must be applied in the dormant season to alkalize the soil. I mean clay.

I've joined forces with Spring Green, a chain lawn care service. This is the same company used by my neighbors down the block who's flawless lawns I lust after all summer long. Keep watching for pictures of an all-improved lawn in the Spring.