How a lawn flourishes will depend in large part on how it did last autumn; lawns really have only one growth period each year--autumn--when they can gain in strength and vigor. During other seasons, including spring, lawn grasses draw from reserves accumulated during the autumn.
To keep lawns at their best, the homeowner needs to provide the best growing conditions possible without more-than-normal stimulation of foliar growth. The Lawn Institute recommends the following checklist for this spring and summer:
-- See that as much light reaches the lawn as possible. Selectively remove tree limbs where necessary.
-- See that air circulation over the lawn is good. This promotes drying and reduces disease. Removal of woody vegetation is usually necessary.
-- See that the lawn is not overstimulated by watering.
-- See that only sufficient fertilizer is used to maintain a normal growth rate.
-- See that thatch is not allowed to accumulate to a depth of more than one-half inch.
-- See that soil compaction is prevented by aerification or coring in spring.