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1. Healthy Lawns Need Healthy Soil
Proper soil preparation and lawn maintenance practices will help to build healthy and deep-rooted lawns. To condition and enrich your soil, add natural organic matter like compost on a regular basis. Healthy lawns are more resistant to disease and drought and will out-compete weeds.

2. Choose the Right Grass
Choose drought tolerant grass seeds and overseed your lawn in the spring or fall. Use a grass seed mixture rather than one variety. A thick lawn will crowd out weeds.

3. Mow High to Discourage Weeds
Keep your lawn mower blade at a height of 7cm (3 inches)

4. Grass Cycle
Leave your grass clippings on the lawn to return nutrients to the soil. Less raking! This can supply up to 30% of your lawn's fertilizer needs and helps retain moisture.

5. Aerate - Let Your Lawn Breathe
Once a year remove small plugs of earth to allow air and water to get to the roots (aerate). A pesticide-free lawn will encourage earthworms, nature's aerators.

6. Water the Roots
Let your lawn soak up 1 inch of water, once a week early in the morning, to promote deep root growth. To measure and inch of water, put an empty tuna tin under your sprinkler - stop watering once it fills up.

7. Top-Dress and Fertilize
Once a year, in the fall, use an organic fertilizer (long term value), or apply a top layer of natural organic matter such as compost (top-dress).

8. Thatch
Most lawns don't have a thatch problem. Thatch is a thick compacted layer of dead plants and grass. Too much thatch stops water and nutrients from getting to the roots. To prevent thatch: aerate, rake briskly, water properly and don't over-fertilize.

9. Control Weeds & Insects Naturally
Dig out weeds and their roots by hand. Pour boiling water on weeds that are growing between patio stones, etc. Use a stick or your hand to knock insects off plants into a dish of soapy water. Practicing natural lawn care will create a healthy lawn, which is unattractive to pests.

10. Accept Some Weeds
Using chemicals and pesticides is not worth the health risk. Allow clover in your lawn for its nitrogen-fixing magic.Consider alternative plants such as trees, shrubs, ground covers, and wild flowers (native species work best).

These resources and more can be found at
http://www.organiclawncaretips.com
http://www.pesticidefreeyards.org