1. Set your mower to the highest cut setting.

2. Cut the lawn, but remove no more than 1/3 its height in a single pass. Make two cuts. Space the cuts a couple of days apart to avoid leaving behind large clumps of moist grass clippings.

3. If the blade is dull or chipped, either resharpen it or replace it.

4. Feed the lawn. Apply a fertilizer per the rate instructions listed on the bag that matches your spreader. Don’t overapply the material, that just contributes to excessive growth without really benefiting the lawn’s root system.

5. Roughen soil and apply seed to damaged areas. Apply a fertilizer designated as “starter” or “seed starter” to these areas.

6. Water the lawn if necessary. If it’s hot and dry where you are, by all means get out the sprinkler. A lawn requires 1 inch of water per week.