To make the most of your lawn and protect your pocketbook at the same time, here are some tips for making your investment as care-free as possible:

» Do not remove clippings after mowing. They are a great source of soil nutrients.

» Don't make mistakes with fertilizers. Research the best time and rate to fertilize your grass to get maximum results. Make sure applications are on target to avoid potential nutrient run-off.

» Don't diagnose rashly. Well-meaning do-it-yourselfers often inadvertently cause more harm than good by trouble-shooting a lawn problem. If in doubt, consult a lawn care specialist.

» Seed at the right time. Seeding is typically best in the fall when grass is going into dormancy for the winter.

» Don't overwater. A slow steady water once a week is a good rule of thumb. Lawns require a minimum of 1 inch per week of water -- or as much as local water restrictions allow -- which is achieved in about 30 minutes of watering.

» Mow with care. Some homeowners try to reduce the number of times they mow by mowing too low. This can put the lawn into shock and allow weeds and insects to take over.

» Read, don't guess. Follow lawn-care product instructions.

Source: Survey of lawn-care experts