As the temperatures begin to warm up, grass starts to green up. Well, maybe. Is your grass thin?
Do the bare spots outnumber the green ones? Or is what's green in your yard the weeds?
The following tips could help you get the green into your lawn this year.

If your lawn is more than 50 percent weeds, start over.
Till the old turf under and reseed with tall fescue.
These grasses have long roots that resist drought and needs less mowing and fertilizing.

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Get the very best grass for your area. Consult your local gardening center for some
suggestions. And skip the bargain stuff. Name brands will get you the best results.

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In early spring, set your mower blades lower. That will collect surface debris on the lawn.
There continues to be a debate about "thatch" which are tangled surface roots that are
said to choke the lawn. Experts suggest that if your lawn has more than an inch or so
of thatch, get it out with a special rake or a lawn mower attachment made to de-thatch.

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If your'e not going to replace the whole lawn, scrape the bare thin spots with a metal rake and then
apply a mixture of topsoil and seed. Put a light layer of straw over that to keep the seed from
blowing or being eaten by birds. Keep the area moist for at least a week and avoid mowing
until the seed is established. Be sure to remove the straw when the grass is established.

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If you have clay soil, rent a core aerator. This takes out plugs of soil that will allow
air, water and nutrients to get to the grass roots. The plugs can be left on the lawn,
where they'll break down in a week or two and help reduce the thatch layer.

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When the grass starts greening up and the weather gets warmer, raise the cutting height of
the mower blades so that you're cutting only about one third of the grass each time you mow.
Mulch the clippings by using an adaptor for that purpose or with a mulching mower that
chops them up repeatedly. The clippings will break down and help feed the lawn.

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Fertilize in mid- to late -spring with a slow release, naturally based fertilizer that will encourage
deep root growth. Dense roots will help choke out weeds and reduce the need for pesticides.

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