The sight of new grass growing often inspires the homeowner to run out and spread fertilizer to help the young blades along. This is actually the opposite of recommended practices for bluegrass lawns. The proper time to feed grass is in the fall, when the roots that will sustain the plants through the following summer are actively growing. Even if the fall feeding was missed, any spring feeding should be limited to a light feeding after the initial flush of growth has subsided, probably sometime in May or early June.

Lime, on the other hand, should be applied in early spring, if soil tests show that it is necessary. Most lawn grasses grow best at soil pH's of 6.0 to 7.0, so have your soil's pH analyzed every two to three years to be sure you are staying in that range. The soil test results will include recommendations on how much lime to apply.

The best time to establish a new lawn from seed is in the fall, but many homeowners will need to reseed patches of lawn that have been damaged during the winter. Seeding done during March and early April will have a chance to grow successfully if it is well watered and cared for from seeding on through the heat of summer. It is a good idea to fertilize newly seeded grass using a high phosphorous fertilizer that will foster root growth. The grass will be stronger and healthier if you can water daily until the plants are established. Water approximately once a week throughout the summer, for the tops of the grass may look great, but the roots are not as long and dense as those of the grass in an established lawn.

When your lawn requires its first cutting, be sure not to cut too short. Mow to about two inches during the spring, and then raise the cutting height another half inch when summer arrives. Mow frequently so that no more than one third of the grass blade is removed at one time.

Along with the grass, several undesirables are probably growing in your lawn. The best prevention for a weedy lawn is to provide such great growing conditions that the turf crowds out the weeds. If the weeds are sparse, use that early spring energy to hand pull some of those perennial weeds. There are chemicals that can be used if you have more weeds than energy. If you choose to use herbicides, be sure to apply them when they will have maximum impact on the weed population. Follow label directions closely for information on time of application and safety precautions.

If these simple steps are followed your lawn should come in strong and green and continue to flourish during the summer.