A lush lawn is everyone’s dream. However, lawn care may be the last, and least favorite chore on your list. Most people find lawns time consuming because they need constant mowing, trimming, fertilizing and watering. But you can cut your lawn chores in half in one step: "garden from the ground up" by improving the soil.

Healthy grass roots need six to eight inches of soil for good growth. Without it, grass plants won’t develop adequate root systems. A soil that’s high in organic matter is ideal for growing grass. The best organic matter to add is Canadian sphagnum peat moss, a natural, organic soil conditioner. Its unique cell structure helps regulate moisture and air around plant roots, creating ideal growing conditions.

Peat moss:

• Aerates plant roots by loosening heavy soil.
• Adds body to sandy soil.
• Saves water by absorbing and holding moisture.
• Reduces leaching of nutrients present in or added to the soil, releasing them slowly over time.

Existing lawns:

Adding sphagnum peat moss to existing lawns is easy and pays big dividends. It saves you time and money in the long run by clearing up disease problems, thatch and the amount of water your lawn requires. You do that by "top dressing" (adding a thin layer of peat moss) to the top of the lawn, gradually conditioning the soil. If you wish, supplement peat moss with an equal portion of well-shifted compost, which adds nutrients.

Aeration:

To really improve existing lawns, aerate the lawn, then apply a top dressing of peat moss. Aeration removes plugs of soil from the lawn, loosening compacted areas and promoting deeper grass root growth. The best time of year to aerate is mid-spring (after the ground is reasonably dry) and early fall.

Your checklist for a better existing lawn:

• Rent a power aeration machine.
• Purchase enough peat to cover lawn area (see How Much Do I Use?).
• Power aerate your lawn.
• Optional: You may choose to rake up soil plugs before top dressing.
• Top dress lawn by spreading a 1/4-to ½-inch layer of peat over entire lawn (a leaf rake works well to spread peat moss).
• Fertilize (check with your local garden retailer on amount and type of fertilizer).

New lawns:

Whether seeding or sodding, always properly prepare the soil first to ensure a healthy lawn and fewer chores in the future.

• Dig or rototill two inches peat moss into the top six inches of soil.
• Break up lumps and level ground.

• Spread high quality grass seeds, about 3 lbs. of seed per 1,000 sq. ft.
• Fertilize and water with a fine spray.
• Top dress with a 1/4 to ½-inch layer of peat moss over the seeds. Water lightly.

• When laying sod yourself, ask a local sod supplier for the proper application.
• After laying sod, fill the cracks with peat moss.
• Optional: Sprinkle additional grass seeds between the cracks. Water lightly.

Remember: Moisten seeded or sodded area daily (or twice daily during hot/dry periods) for two to three weeks.

Bare spots:

A number of factors cause lawn patches: disease, animal urine, soil compaction, buried construction debris and thatch. Repair is easy and you can usually see the results in five to seven days.

Your checklist for repairing bare spots:
(The following procedures are identical to "New Lawns," as described above.)

• Dig two inches of peat moss into the top six inches of affected area.
• Seed, fertilize and water with a fine spray.
• Top dress area with a 1/4 to ½-inch layer of peat moss.
• Keep the area moist until germination.

Timing for seeding/sodding:

Spring, late summer and fall are the ideal times to do general lawn chores, as the cooler temperatures enhance grass growth.