Nothing can make your property look more disheveled than a patchy, brown yard. This can be due to a number of factors, some of which, like drought conditions, are not your fault. Others, like over-mowing, are problems you can control. Either way, you can create beautiful lawns by learning how to design, plant, and care for your yard. Seeding a lawn can be a great step in having greener - and healthier - grass.

You may need to start over and seed your lawn with the appropriate grass type. The type of grass you need will depend on the climate in the region in which you live. For instance, blue grass, tall fescue, or perennial rye grass are good choices if you have cold winters and mild summers. Bermuda grass and St. Augustine grass are good for mild winters and hot summers. You can ask at your local nursery which seeds they recommend. The United States National Arboretum has great recommendations on which turf-grasses are best for your region. There are several helpful websites that can also provide some great information.

The next step in seeding your lawn is to measure your lawn so you know how much seed to buy. You will also need to prepare the lawn for planting. You can spread a layer of rich mulch to act as a fertilizer. Turn this into the ground and then rake the ground level. You can then get a seeder to distribute the seeds evenly and at the right intervals. Another option for repairing your front lawn or backyard is to lay sod. This is mature lawn that is cut into squares or strips. You prepare your lawn and lay the sod down. The downside is that the cost can be large, and it takes about two years for the grass to mature.

Watering your lawn is very important. You don't want to underwater it, which results in brown, burnt grass. Over-watering also harms the grass. You can install an underground irrigation system to help with the watering. Another alternative is to use above-ground sprinklers. If this isn't your style or within your budget, you can always let the rain take care of it. In particularly dry times, you can water it with a hose (as long as you aren't in a drought).

After you've seeded your lawn, the next step is maintenance. It is very important to mow your lawn. This should be done when the day is relatively cool. In the summer, try mowing in the morning or late afternoon. Don't mow your lawn too short or it is more likely to get burned and brown. You can also help prevent diseases from taking root in your lawn-grass. In addition to mowing, make sure you water your lawn in the morning so it has plenty of time to absorb. Water can be a great place for fungus and diseases to lurk, especially if it stagnant. De-thatch your lawn once a year. A build-up of thatch can harbor disease as well.

Seeding your lawn can give it new life and beauty. Take care of it properly and enjoy the rewards.