This article was printed in the July 6-8, 2001 USA Weekend newspaper.  I have taken excerpts from it, because I think we can all benefit, either monetarily, or in saving time, by heeding its advice.

"Americans spend nearly $9 billion a year in search of the perfect lawn.  The two out of three homeowners who care for their lawns themselves spend about $222 a year.  The remaining third, who hire lawn services or the neighborhood kid, spend more than twice that.

"The truth is, we all may be spending more than necessary.  ...Ashton Ritchie of the Scotts Company says it's possible to care for a 5,000 square foot lawn for just $50 or $60 a year.  Here's how:

Mow high.  Cutting the grass as high as you can - by adjusting your mower to its highest or second-highest setting - can prevent a number of problems and keep your costs down, says Frank Rossi, a grass researcher at Cornell University.  Mowing high lets the roots penetrate the soil more deeply, reducing their need for water and fertilizer.  Your lawn will be better able to withstand hot and dry weather.

Water well.  Give your grass a decent drink once a week rather than three or four smaller waterings.  You'll know you've done the job if you leave foot prints as you walk across the lawn, Ritchie says.  A good soaking will help the grass develop a sturdy root system so it can draw on moisture deep in the soil during truly dry spells.

Fertilize once a year, maybe twice.  Many lawn-care services (and the companies that make fertilizer) recommend fertilizing four or five times a year.  That's fine, experts say, as long as you look at it as a kind of insurance policy.  Most homeowners can get away with fertilizing just once a year, says Joe Provey, co-author of Better Lawns Step-by-Step (Creative Homeowners Press, $14.95).  ...In Southern climates, fertilize in the spring so the grass can store food for the summer.

Treat for problems.  Once your grass is healthy and strong, weeds are often choked out.  If not, you need to find why you have weeds in the first place.  Are trees blocking out light?  Are the weeds growing in a high-traffic area?  Is drainage poor?  Rossi, the Cornell grass researcher, says you're better off spending your time and money fixing the underlying problems than trying to kill weeds.  Likewise, you need specific solutions for pests.

Bottom line:  You need to manage your expectations as well as your lawn.  'A lot of people desire a weed-free, perfect lawn,' Provey says.  But if you can tolerate a few weeds, or grass that's a fraction of an inch higher, you'll save yourself a lot of work - and a lot of money."

Last modified: June 13, 2001

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