How To: Get a green lawn

Make everyone in your neighborhood green with envy over your lush lawn with these landscaping secrets. Learn how to get your lawn green with this Howcast landscaping guide.

You Will Need
* A soil test
* Fertilizer
* Water
* Sharp lawn mower blades

Step 1: Test your soil
Test your soil to find out what nutrients it needs. Garden centers often sell do-it-yourself kits, or you can arrange a test through the Cooperative Extension System, a national agriculture network.

Step 2: Fertilize carefully
Don't put too much fertilizer out at one time; one pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet is a good rule of thumb, but follow the directions on your package.

Step 3: Give your grass enough water
Give your lawn about one inch of water per week. If it's really hot out, give it an inch of water every three to five days.

Step 4: Water in the a.m.
Water your grass early in the morning so the blades dry before sundown.

Step 5: Sharpen up
Mow your grass weekly from spring through fall. Check your lawn mower blades for sharpness; dull ones weaken the grass by tearing it. Grass mowed with sharp blades will look like it's been cut straight across with scissors, while dull blades leave jagged edges.

Step 6: Make sure the lawn is dry
Make sure the grass is dry, but not arid, when you are ready to mow it. To test, stick a screwdriver into the ground.

Step 7: Cut it the right height
Leave the grass two to three inches high, depending on the variety. This shades the grass, which helps the roots hold moisture.

Step 8: Alternate direction
Mow in a different direction every couple of weeks to keep the grass healthy.

Step 9: Leave the clippings
Leave the clippings on your lawn; they're a good source of fertilizer.

Step 10: Pick up leaves
Don't let autumn leaves linger on your lawn, or they'll weaken grass by blocking sunlight.