• A beautiful lawn takes work, but is worth the effort.Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images
  
  A beautiful lawn is a source of pride. A rich carpet of green grass makes a home look well maintained and cared for, reflecting the time and effort taken to maintain it. A healthy and lovely lawn is also a place to relax, let children play, and fill with flowers and decorations. Though keeping a lawn looking its best is no easy task, a few simple measures will make the job easier.
  
  

Feed Seasonally

• Much like people, lawns requirement proper nourishment to look healthy and vibrant. Furthermore, lawns need different types of fertilizer at different times of the year, as the needs of grass change with the seasons. The Organic Authority website states that "fall marks the single most important lawn feeding of the year" for most grasses; and recommends a feeding before the winter to help lawns recover from the stress of the hot summer months, which can parch grass. Lawns also need nutrients before the cold sets in to develop a healthy surplus of nitrogen for early spring. Lawn and Mower recommends a fertilizer high in nitrogen and phosphorus for the autumn, which helps protect grass from disease while strengthening its roots so they endure through the winter.
  
  

Mow Properly

• When mowing, cut no more than 1/3 of the length of the grass.fress cut grass image by Photography Freak from Fotolia.com
  
  For a lawn to look its best, it needs to be mowed carefully so as not to hurt the grass and damage the soil. Cut no more than 1/3 of the blade off when moving; removing more will damage the grass and can leave it susceptible to diseases and pests, according to the Toxics Info website. When grass is longer, it also provides shade for the soil, which in turn conserves water and prevents the grass from drying out and yellowing. The lawn mower must be sharp to cut through the grass swiftly and cleanly, so as not to mangle and damage it. Leave grass cuttings on the lawn after mowing, as they are an instant natural fertilizer rich in nutrients.
  
  

Prevent and Deal with Weeds

• Remove weeds by hand, including the roots.pulling weeds image by palms from Fotolia.com
  
  Few things are as frustrating as the sight of weeds popping up on an otherwise meticulous lawn. To keep grass looking beautiful, it's important to prevent weeds as much as possible while dealing with those that manage to take root. This Old House recommends watering lawns "infrequently and deeply" to keep them hydrated at the proper level. A dry lawn can be set upon by weeds adapted to parched soil; yet light, frequent waterings cause shallow roots, which helps other weeds to germinate. Toxics Info recommends digging up weeds by hand and then filling in the resultant holes with grass seed to prevent new weeds from regrowing in the same space. Also, cutting the grass longer makes it difficult for many weeds to germinate, as the taller blades block out the sun they require to thrive.