Does it often seem as though your neighbours' lawns are greener, cleaner and generally more beautiful than yours? You may marvel at their perfectly manicured landscapes, wondering "How on earth did they do that?!" Chances are those lush blades of grass didn't just pop up by accident. Maintaining a lawn often takes practice, patience and even a little bit of expertise.

Below are 5 tips for a healthier, greener lawn -- so that you can be the envy of all your neighbours for once!

Keep grass blades long

When mowing your lawn, always keep the ⅓ rule in mind. Cutting more than ⅓ of the grass blade will do more harm than good. Although it is tempting to cut the grass short to cut down on mowing frequency, short grass blades will put your lawn in distress. Longer grass blades allow the root to sink in deeper into the soil. Deep roots allow your lawn to endure drought, pests and diseases.

Keep lawn mower blades sharp

Every spring, make it a habit to check that your blades are sharp. Cutting the lawn with dull blades will turn your grass brown. And you don't need to send your lawn mower to a repair shop to have your blades sharpened. Simply disconnect the mower and tip it on its side. Remove the blade. Then take a file to smooth out the blade's edges. Reinsert the blade back onto the mower.

Watch your watering habits

Despite popular belief, more water is not necessarily better for your lawn. If you're not mindful of your watering habits, you can end up drowning the grass. A lawn needs only an inch of water per week. Instead of watering a little bit each day, simply give your lawn a long soak for an hour once a week. A built-in lawn sprinkler is a great way to take out the guesswork. These popular devices have an automatic sprinkler control and are equipped with a rain sensor. The sprinkler is scheduled to turn on and off, based on customizable settings.

Keep a close eye on weeds

Weeds are a destructive nuisance that can get out of control if you're not on top of it. Dandelions, crabgrass and other common weeds can eat up your grass and rob your lawn of essential water and nutrients. Not to mention they're ugly to look at. There are many weed-killing products on the market. But before you go spraying a general formula everywhere, check to see which weeds are growing in your lawn first. Then purchase a product specifically designed for that problem.

Fertilize at the correct rate

Simply dropping fertilizer across your lawn won't do any good. The proper application rate is roughly 2 to 3.5 pounds of fertilizer per 1000 square feet. If you're unsure of when and how to apply material, consult with your local lawn care company for best results. Fertilizing at the right rate allows your lawn to grow lush blades and fight off insects and diseases.