• Raise your lawn mower's mowing height in the summer to encourage healthier grass and deeper root penetration.

• Provide the equivalent of about an inch of water a week, including any rainfall.

• Identify weed types and apply the appropriate herbicide according to label instructions.

• Persistent turf problems may be identified by having the soil tested.

• Aerate and reseed in the fall. Adding a thin layer of organic matter annually, such as compost, improves soil structure, promotes deeper grass roots and a lusher lawn, helping to crowd out weeds.

For help • Missouri Botanical Garden's Horticulture Answer Service: 314-577-5143.