What Not To Do

....as an expert, naturally, on this topic...given that I've made so many mistakes or will make them, I've decided to share so that you will not have such a steep learning curve!

As I'm writing this, I realize that this is actually a 2 for 1, but I'll begin with the most obvious.



I call these "The Eyeballs" and while healthy and green, not what your lawn needs. If you need to patch your lawn, it would be best to determine what kind of grass you already have there...first. I simply bought some nice grass seed (and it is nice...) and planted away. Not realizing that my grass was most likely a blend called Kentucky 31, a fact of which I could easily have learned had I made a simple phone call to my local extension office. In this area, Kentucky 31 is commonly used by contractors as it is an economical blend that produces good results. Good, not great.

I can tell you that it doesn't hold up to any sort of traffic and the stress of pets. However, its failures are of not of issue here.

You need to realize that a lawn is better with a blend that matches. So, pay attention, ask questions and realize that grass is not just grass or you, too, can have your own set of eyeballs....

...unless you don't do what I did...which is rake leaves one year and then just leave them. Yes, that's right. I don't know what I was thinking (or not thinking). At any rate, the leaves killed the grass that was there leaving me two nice circles (since I was so tidy with the leaf raking).

And, there you have it. One, match your grass and two, remove those piles of leaves!