6 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Lawn Quality Without Replacing It

watering lawn with sprinkler

What constitutes a beautiful lawn is pretty simple: thick, green grass without any weeds. The premise of a gorgeous, jealous-neighbor-worthy lawn is simple; but it’s not always easy to achieve.

If your lawn has become patchy, weed-filled, or full of brown spots, Googling “how to improve lawn quality” will inevitably bring you to a number of concerning options, including replacing your grass altogether.

While replacing a lawn may be necessary for some yards, there’s a lot you can do to keep a beautiful, green, healthy grass without starting from scratch.

Here are the six things you can do to improve your lawn quality without replacing it:

  1. Aerate
  2. Reduce thatch
  3. Fertilize
  4. Mow high
  5. Water deeply
  6. Grass-cycle
Lawn Aeration

1. Aerate

In order for water, air, and nutrients to easily reach and help grass roots thrive, aerating your lawn annually is important for its health. There are both DIY tool options and professional services for aerating your lawn; but both poke small holes in the soil.

Long term, it’s important to consider areas where the soil is compacted and grass is crushed down. These high traffic spots are perfect for hardscapes or walkways.

2. Reduce thatch

If you’ve ever taken a peek under your grass, you may have noticed a layer of dead grass that’s accumulated on top of the soil. As we just mentioned with aeration, proper flow of air, water, and nutrients is vital for healthy grass, so a buildup of thatch can block these vital elements.

While it’s not necessary to remove all the thatch in your lawn, you may notice areas that feel spongy or start to brown and die. A few ways to reduce thatch include: regular aeration, removing grass clippings during or after mowing, and keeping the soil moist.

3. Fertilize

It’s no secret that fertilized plants are happy plants...and your lawn is no different. Fertilizing your lawn creates healthy soil, which leads to healthier grass. With healthier roots and shoots, your grass will be lush, green, and, undoubtedly, the talk of your neighborhood.

4. Mow high

Grass that is cut too short is not only vulnerable to heat and drought, but it also allows more sunshine and rainwater to reach weed seeds in the soil below.

In general, be sure to mow your lawn no shorter than 2” high; and if you’re seeing more weeds, consider mowing at 3” high.

Watering your lawn deeply

5. Water deeply

By watering your grass less frequently and more deeply, the roots will start reaching deeper into the soil. This not only strengthens your lawn, but improves its longevity.

Try watering the grass with about 1 inch of water just once a week. Depending on your local rainfall, grass type, and soil, you’ll need to adjust whether or not (and how much) you water your lawn.

6. Grass-cycle

While too much thatch can be detrimental to your lawn, a small amount acts as a kind of natural mulch, retaining water for the soil and grass roots below.

Grass-cycling is not only beneficial for your lawn, but also a time saving way to create thatch by simply leaving grass clippings on the lawn after mowing.


Try these six tips to improve your lawn quality without needing to replace it. You’ll go from brown or weed-filled patches to the talk of the town.

For help in the greater Buxton, Maine area with creating a beautiful lawn, contact us at Prime Cut Landscaping & Lawn Care today!

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