Question
hello jim and thank you for your time...

my wife and i bought a home with a pretty decent lawn; however, we have never taken care of a lawn to keep out the weeds, clover and dandelions; keep it green and lush; keep out the bugs; and so on...what do we need to know to keep our lawn healthy?

again, thank you

Answer
Hi Mike,

Your question is rather too general and entire books have been written about the subject.

I recommend that you firstly DO NOT fertilize and water the weeds along with the wanted turf-grass(es). At least partially suspend these actions UNTIL the weeds are generally eliminated or greatly reduced in number.  Try to not have any of the weeds going to seed; this may magnify the problem next year.

A few weeds and insects here and there will naturally be a continual condition with human-made lawns.  Work to keep the populations in control and minimal and to avoid pathologic conditions that may be associated with weeds, bugs, fungi and other lawn problems.

First, ...Try to become weed-free and then go from there.  A first step to become weed-free is to be able to identify the weeds in your lawn and to select the proper herbicides to use.  Everything you should need will be sold at your local lawn and garden center.

The same is true for insect pest.  Be sure to identify the pest first and then find a chemical to target and/or control it.

You will find an abundance of weed and pest eradication information via the Lawnology web-pages with the link given below.

Once your lawn areas are weed-free regular fertilizing events and proper watering as well as routine mowing/edging, etc.,  should establish an excellent lawn.
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With a good fertile-loamy well draining top-soil, best quality hybrid grass type(s), 1-3 inches of water per week, plenty of sun-light, ...almost anyone can have an excellent lawn with a minimum maintenance effort.
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Direct URLs for my pages concerning weed-eradication and fertilization of lawns:

http://hometown.aol.com/eilatlog/weeds/weed-articles.html
http://hometown.aol.com/eilatlog/weeds/weedsids.html
http://hometown.aol.com/eilatlog/fert/fertilex.html

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I Hope this has answered your question(s)!

Visit my Lawn & Gardens webpage for more Lawn and Garden Tips, Facts and Links:
http://hometown.aol.com/eilatlog/lawnol.html

Your Questions and Comments are welcome at ALLEXPERTS.com