HOME TRUTHS: You needn’t rely on noxious chemicals for lush and healthy grass

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Test your soil to determine its pH factor. More reliable than a home test kit is having the local agricultural extension office do the test for a small fee. Grass is happiest with a pH factor between 6.5 and 7.0. Too acid? Add lime. Too alkaline? Add some lawn sulfur.

Build healthy soil. Rather than sweep away grass cuttings, leave them to enrich the soil. In spring and fall, add some homemade compost or other organic fertilizers on top, such as chopped leaves or composted animal manure. Today, more and more garden centers are featuring organic fertilizers, some containing cottonseed meal, bone meal, or—the newest for weed control—corn gluten.

Choose an appropriate grass type for your climate and property. A local horticultural organization or garden center can advise.

Don't scalp the lawn. When mowing, leave grass blades 2 to 3 inches long to protect the roots from drought and heat.

Water with care. Water is a precious resource. The vast quantities of it lavished on lawns are contributing to water crises in many parts of the country. But if you must water, do so deeply to encourage strong roots; light sprinkling encourages grass roots to crowd the surface, where they are vulnerable to burning.

Relax. With a natural lawn, you can let the birds, bats, and dragonflies take care of the bugs while you sit back and watch the grass grow.

—Kim Waller