1. Get a soil test to determine what kind of fertilizer or soil amendment you need. Decent lawns require at least six inches of good topsoil.

2. Consider fescues that require far less maintenance than Kentucky bluegrass.

3. Water deeply and infrequently so grass roots grow down into the soil to get the water they need. And water early so the surface of the lawn dries off during the day.

4. Use organic fertilizer made of natural materials.

5. Keep mower blades sharp and set the blade as high as possible, as tall grass plants conserve soil moisture, crowd out weeds and shade weed seeds. Recycle grass clippings by leaving them on the lawn, thus providing half your lawn's fertilizer needs for the season.

6. Avoid synthetic fertilizers, which can burn grass.

7. Add compost, which contains beneficial microorganisms that add life to the soil. Liquid compost, also known as compost tea, should be used in combination with dry compost.

8. Understand that weeds indicate something's wrong with the soil.

9. Insects, likewise, are attracted to a rush of new grass growth caused by synthetic fertilizers. They shouldn't be a problem in a healthy lawn.

10. Overseed regularly to fill in bare areas, growing grass to compete against weeds. Lawns that are mowed regularly do not allow grass to reproduce.

Source: www.SafeLawns.org