When spring starts, neighborhoods across the United States are struck by an infectious disease: lawn envy. We see pictures in magazines of thick, green, weed-free lawns and dream of that same carpet of grass in front of our own homes. Some people are obsessed with chemically treating, clipping, edging, and plucking their way to a perfect yard while others pay big bucks to have professionals come in and do the work for them. And then there are the rest of us, who don't want to pay someone or work endlessly. For these champions of moderation there is another choice. Adhering to some hints about lawn care can help you mow your way to a lawn that is lush and green.

Before you even start mowing, take heed to your lawn mower care routine. Keeping your mower happy and at peak performance can affect the health of your lawn. In addition to keeping it filled with good gasoline, make sure the blades are nice and sharp at the beginning of each mowing season. Dull blades will rip and tear at grass, damaging the leaves of these tiny plants. This leaves the grass more susceptible to disease, making your lawn look terrible. Simple lawn mower care also includes changing the oil, cleaning the air filter, and checking the spark plugs once a season.

Once you have lawn mower care behind you, concentrate on your method of mowing. You should never cut your lawn while wet. Even sharp blades will tug and tear at wet grass. The best time to mow is in the cool of the day, so the freshly cut grass is not exposed to harsh sun rays. However, in the morning the grass is usually covered in dew, so the ideal time is in the evening.

Each time you cut the lawn, change the direction that your mow. Alternate North/South mowing with East/West. Try out diagonal cuts for variety. This does not simply keep your neighbors from getting bored; it also prevents ruts from the repetitive tracks of the mower.

When you set the cutting height on your lawn mower, leave the grass at two to two and a half inches tall and mulch the clippings rather than collecting them, which feeds the lawn with valuable nutrients. Leaving the grass slightly taller keeps it from drying out and helps the roots take hold, thickening the carpet of grass on your lawn.