Issue Date: April 6, 2003

Also this issue: Roof repairs Self-watering for plants Financing projects First-Time decorators

The lowdown on the mowdown

A ballpark groundskeeper shares the big-league secrets to keeping your lawn looking perfect.

By David Mellor

You know the saying: You don't get a second chance to make a first impression. That's especially true of your lawn. It's the first impression you give to neighbors, guests and potential homebuyers -- and to yourself every time you pull into the driveway.

Along with a quality paint job on your house, a well-kept lawn is the key to your home's curb appeal. After almost 20 years tending the grounds at various ballparks, including the last two years at Fenway Park in Boston, I have learned a few things about growing beautiful green grass.

So, what adds up to a well-kept lawn? The devil is truly in the details. Attention to things such as edging and trimming go far in giving the appearance of a well-groomed lawn. Think about your last haircut: If you didn't get that final trim around the ears and the back of your neck, you'd look like a nut who'd gotten half a haircut. The same goes for your lawn. Tidy edges give the impression of a careful manicure -- and of a more valuable property.

Use a manual or power edger to create a clean edge between lawn and pavement, lawn and garden -- lawn and anything that needs a distinct transition. Then use a string trimmer to cut the grass edges, being careful not to cut too short. Wear goggles, because debris always flies up when you trim. And consider trimming before you mow, so your mower can cut up your trimming clippings for you. How's that for tidy?

Keep in mind the care and appearance of the lawn as a whole. Regular mowing and maintenance according to a few basic guidelines will keep your lawn looking snappy and healthy:

Invest in quality lawn care. Whether you do it yourself, pay a neighborhood kid or engage a professional lawn care company, it's the quality of your equipment and lawn care products, and the way you use them, that make the difference. You don't need a fancy mower; you just have to keep your blades sharp so they don't damage the grass. You don't need expensive treatments, just fertilizer that's appropriate to your soil conditions and good, old-fashioned water, applied regularly but judiciously.

Mow regularly, using the One-Third Rule: No matter how high your grass gets, never cut more than a third of its height at a time. If you cut more than that, you'll shock the grass and harm its ability to support its own root growth. To determine the optimum length for your grass, you need to know what kind of grass you have. If you have a new lawn you've grown from seed, that's easy. If you've inherited your lawn and have no idea what kind of grass you have, take a sample to your local agricultural extension office for identification. (To find the office nearest you, check the blue pages of your telephone book under county or state government.)

Once you know what kind of grass you're dealing with, you can determine the best length for it (anywhere from half an inch to 3 1/2 inches, depending on the variety; see "Optimum heights for common grasses," left) and mow only when you can cut by the One-Third Rule. Healthy grass will help you keep weeds to a minimum, too.

Get your soil tested so you know which chemical combination of fertilizer you need for your lawn. You can buy mail-away soil-testing kits at a garden center or take a sample to your local extension office. The test will show whether you're low on nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium (as well as various other micronutrients) and indicate the fertilizer combination you should apply. Fertilize at least once a year, preferably in the fall. If you also fertilize in the spring, be careful to use your soil test as a guide so you don't overfeed the grass.

Water infrequently but thoroughly, approximately one inch of water uniformly distributed over the lawn. You can determine how long that takes by setting a few empty cans with straight sides around your sprinkler and watering until they fill to the level of an inch. As with mowing, don't water your lawn on a schedule; just do it when your grass needs it, which is when it begins to look a little wilted or when it doesn't bounce back after you step on it. Water in the morning, not the evening, being sure to pay attention to local watering restrictions.

Mow patterns into the grass. This is my favorite way to draw attention to my lawn -- and to my field at Fenway. A basic checkerboard or diamond pattern can make your lawn look like a million bucks. You'll need a mower, of course, and a roller for highlighting the pattern. (Weighted lawn rollers are available for purchase or rent at most lawn and garden supply stores.) For a classic checkerboard pattern, follow these simple instructions:

1. Mow straight lines across the entire length of your lawn as you normally would when you mow: one pass one way, the next pass the opposite way, and so on. 2. Mow another set of straight lines perpendicular (at a 90-degree angle) to your first mow. Alternate the direction of each pass, as you did the first time. 3. Now that you have the basic checkerboard design, it's time to highlight the pattern. Roll every other stripe in the direction you first mowed. 4. Mow a cleanup pass around the outer edge of your lawn to clear up any marks or stray patches of grass left unmowed when turning.

That's all it takes to have a lawn with real curb appeal: regular, thoughtful attention to the whole lawn and a little extra attention to the details. You'll get an abundance of compliments -- and maybe even a round of applause.

David Mellor is the director of groundskeeping at Boston's Fenway Park and the author of "The Lawn Bible: How to Keep It Green, Groomed and Growing Every Season of the Year" (Hyperion, $16.95).

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