Details: The top one inch of soil should get fairly dry before waterings and you should water enough so that it can sink deep into the soil but not runoff onto hardscapes.



Deeper dive (more detailed): Watering usually 2-3 days a week produce the nicest lawns in Denver but it depends mostly on sun exposure whether too water less than that. 

A great practice is to set your watering times to go off twice a day on days you water. This will allow the water to soak into the ground better with less runoff. 

If you have good, even coverage from your irrigation system, standard fan sprayers usually run between 7-12 minutes for a once a day watering or 2 times at 3-5 minutes each time. If you have upgraded Roto nozzles (not rotary heads, different beast) you can run them continuously for roughly 18-30 min. Once you see run off, you should stop watering.

“The 6 annual steps”, to get one of the best lawns in Denver

Step 1: “Water”

Simply put, water enough but not too much.

Step 2: “Aeration”

Simply put, aerate once a year to promote root growth and improve soil health.

Details: Aerating involves getting air and water (which carries oxygen) into the soil and encouraging healthier root growth.

Deeper Dive (more detailed): In Denver’s clay-heavy soils, compacted soil can suffocate grass roots and lead to poor growth. Aerate once a year, typically in early fall or spring, when the grass is actively growing. Granular is a better alternative for core aeration but using both methods ensures the best of both worlds.

Step 3: “Soil Amendment”

Simply put, add organic matter (compost) to enhance soil structure and nutrients.

Details: Apply a top dressing of organic compost to restore lost nutrients and improve soil structure.

Deeper Dive (more detailed): Denver soils often lack sufficient organic matter, especially in newer subdivisions. Compost will enrich the soil, providing slow-release nutrients and improving moisture retention.

Spread 1/4 to 1/2 inch of compost across the lawn immediately after aeration, allowing it to settle into the holes.



Think of compost as natures all organic fertilizer and soil structural enhancer. Applying compost 1-2 times a year will, overtime, reduce water needs, reduce or eliminate fertilizer needs, raise disease resistance and make a drought tolerant lawn. 

Step 4: “Seeding”

Simply put, overseed to thicken your lawn and fill in bare patches.

Details: Adding grass seed (mixed grass seed for beginners, tall fescue for drought tolerant Denver grass) will naturally thicken your lawn and is needed for many grass types.

Deeper Dive (more detailed): In Denver’s dry climate, cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass and Colorado hybrid Tall Fescue perform best.

Early fall or early spring is ideal for overseeding since the soil is still warm, and the cooler air promotes faster seed germination.

Choose high-quality seed varieties suited to Denver’s climate. Usually this means dropping your big box stores for grass specialty stores like Green Valley Turf. The seed will be roughly 3x the price but do you want cheap seed or quality seed that will last.

Spread 2-3 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet for bare patches (we go slightly heavier), or 1-2 pounds for general overseeding. 

Water frequently (twice daily) for two weeks, or until seedlings are well-established. Make sure seed does not wash away from heavy rain or irrigation. To prevent this, adding compost over the top of the new seed helps lock it in place.

Overseeding annually ensures a thick, healthy lawn that can withstand bare patching and foot traffic.

Step 5: Dethatching

Simply remove excess thatch to improve air circulation and nutrient absorption.

Details: Using either a manual or motorized dethatcher to cut the dead and overgrowth out of the lawn to promote good air flow, water, and nutrient uptake.

Deeper Dive (more detailed): Most companies (98%) dethatch incorrectly so its important to do it yourself or higher specialized companies to perform the work.

Think of thatch as the strangling layer of root growth in the top 1 inch of soil. Ripping it up actually makes the grass perform better by allowing better absorption and forcing the grass to put out more roots and less leaf. This makes it substantially more resilient. 

After dethatching, collect the debris and discard in your compost or trash bin. 

Step 6: “Mowing”

Simply put, mow at the right height and frequency for a healthy, even lawn.

Details: The longer the better. Aim for no less than 3” cut height and at least once a week mowing. Should be roughly between April 15th through October 25th.

Deeper Dive (more detailed): Mowing frequency is the most under rated maintenance for a lawn. Mowing is a workout for your lawn.

If you mow frequently but don’t cut a lot of grass height off each time, the lawn will grow to peak performance. If you cut too much off the grass blade off (more than a 3rd of its total height) the grass will take longer to recuperate and therefore not be as vigorous.

You want to mow with a light weight mower to not compact the soil. You’ll also want it to be strong enough to get a good even cut on one pass. Most battery mowers are not there so we would recommend a honda 21” residential.



You should cut your grass with sharp blades. If you have little white lines on the top of your grass blades, this will tell you your blades are dull and need sharpening. Dull blades lead to stress and diseases.

Switch up the lines you mow on to reduce the chances or rutting. Waiting till your soil is drier will also help with this.

Bagging clippings keeps your lawn looking sharp but also removes recyclable nutrients from your lawn. Weigh the pros and cons. 

Overview

Lawn maintenance is a profession when done right just like most things. Follow these steps and your lawn will be lush and rich green for the entire growing season. Heres the order you should follow and can be done in one day.

Mow short (2inches), dethatch, overseed, compost, water, wait 2 weeks with consistent watering. After that your good to go.

Brought to you by Denver’s Ace of Spades Gardening & Design