A lawn looks best when it forms a sweeping, unified background to trees, shrubs and other features of the landscape. If you stud it with island beds of flowers and shrubs, it loses much of its aesthetic appeal.
Aerate your lawn often, not just once a year, by wearing spiked shoes, such as golf shoes, as you mow it.
Don't mow too short. Blades of grass are the turf s leaves, converting sunlight into food; if you leave them a little long, you'll reduce the need for fertiliser.
If you have a large, high-powered rotary mower, another adjustment can save hours of labour in the autumn leaf fall. Tape a piece of cardboard over the exit chute to block it; then mow the newly fallen leaves instead of raking them. They'll be pulverised, sifting back into the turf to serve as organic fertiliser. However, this is a good idea only if there is a light sprinkling of leaves.
Who says you have to grow grass? For a part of the garden that is usually only seen and not used, consider ground covers such as ajuga, euonymus, ivy, pachysandra, thyme or vinca. Not only are these creeping plants ornamental, but they also don't need regular mowing.
