1. Mow high with grass height at two to three inches. Mow often so your grass is short enough to leave it on the lawn without it rotting rather than bagging it as trash. Leave the clippings; they will decompose and act as natural compost for your lawn.
2. Fertilize moderately in September and May with a "natural organic" or "slow-release" fertilizer.
3. Water deeply and infrequently to moisten the root zone. It's best to water in the morning to avoid excessive evaporation mid-day and the potential of lawn fungus disease when watered at night.
4. In lawns with poor aeration and over-seeding, consider fixing the soil and replanting.
5. Think twice before using pesticides.
6. Consider alternatives to lawns for steep slopes, shady areas, or near streams and lakes. Maintaining a buffer strip near waterways is important for managing erosion and maintaining water quality. Learn more about why this is important at http://www.flatheadlakers.org/

The best route to a healthy lawn and garden is through healthy soil and healthy organisms in your yard ecosystem. This does not mean you need to mow your yard every day, water three times a day, fertilize every month, and spray pesticides. It does mean you need to:
1. Know the health of your soil and make it healthier through use of compost and other natural fertilizers
2. Water when it is most efficient
3. Recognize that some bugs and creepy critters make your lawn healthy and killing them all off works against lawn health
4. See yard waste not as waste but as future nutrient-rich compost (see Waste Not Tips: How to Compost Your Yard Waste).

More Information: Use these links and those under sources to find out more about healthy waste-free lawns and gardens: www.wasteage.com and www.reduce.org