Many municipalities are moving to ban the use of lawn chemicals, so if you're not yet restricted as to how you treat your private lawn for growth and weeds, you likely will be soon. Although it may appear like it when you walk the neighborhood, restrictions shouldn't  mean you leave your weeds growing 4 feet high and forget about lawn care altogether.

A weed free, environmentally friendly lawn can be possible with some simple lawn care tips without resorting to lawn herbicides (weed killers) or pesticides (pest killers). It's the way of the future, and for many, the way of the present. Learning some simple tricks and techniques will help keep your lawn the greenest on the street.

The encroachment of weeds and seeds from the neighbors full blown crop can be prevented to some extent by sustaining a thick, healthy lawn. A healthy lawn will build up an extremely competitive canopy, which will shade the soil below and deter the germination of seedling weeds. Correct mowing techniques can bring about this thick canopy.

The two most crucial aspects of mowing are mowing height and frequency. Never remove more than one third of the grass blade or the stress on the blade will result in the lawn browning.

The lowest height for any lawn to be cut is considered two inches.

The favored mowing height for most grasses is 2.5 to 3 inches and the best "manageable height for fighting weeds is 3 to 3.5 inches. Mowing at these heights allows for your lawn to shade out freshly germinated weed seeds, and helps weeds like dandelions and plantain to grow more upright resulting in removal of more of the weed's leaf area when the lawn is mowed. Removing more of the weed's leaf area will help stress the weed to the point of killing it.
 

Mowing at longer lengths can impede a nice even cut as the mower deck looses vacuum and some grass blades get missed. This is not so much of a problem when using a bag on your mower as vacuum is increased. You'll have to experiment with your mower and your particular lawn.

Mowing at less than two inches will lead to a decreased drought and heat tolerance and a greater frequency of weeds as they are allowed to germinate in the short grass.

One last tip about height. Mow your last cut of the year (when the lawn has become dormant) at 1.5 inches high to remove summer build up. It's also considered preferable to "bag" the last mow of the year. The first cut in spring can also be cut short but remember to raise the deck back up after that so the top one inch of growth will be beautiful new grass.

Use A Mulching Mower. You don't need to bag your grass clippings, as a matter of fact leaving them on the lawn is good for it. Grass cuttings release their nutrients as the microorganisms in the soil break down the clippings. To accelerate the decomposition reaction, use a mulching mower with a good sharp blade.

Your lawn will look greener and develop better if you keep your lawnmower's blade sharp. A sharp mower blade gives a cleaner cut that heals faster without as much injury to the grass blade. A dull lawnmower blade will cause a lawn to loose that lush green look as the tips of grass turn brown from being torn rather than cleanly cut.

Try to mow your lawn when it's dry, it will cut cleaner and the cuttings will be best mulched dispersed over the lawn. Try mowing in different directions and patterns every week so that the cuttings don't form clumps.

Avoid cutting the lawn during drought when the lawn is already under stress from lack of water.

Using A String Trimmer or Edger: If you're using a string trimmer or an edger, it is best to use it before you mow. Your mulching mower or bagger will clean up the clippings for you and leave the lawn looking much neater, it saves time too!