YONKERS, NY – Sixty-four percent of consumers think their neighbor has the best lawn on the block according to a new poll conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.  But that lawn envy should come as no surprise since 45 percent of respondents said they spend less than three hours per week doing lawn and yard work. Consumer Reports' first-ever lawn poll is part of a special section on lawn-care advice, lawn-care services, and lawn equipment ratings in the May issue of the magazine.

“Our poll found that 39 percent of consumers said that a perfect lawn raises property values or boosts curb appeal,” said Peter Sawchuk, project leader at Consumer Reports. “The key to a great lawn is good equipment and proper maintenance.”

Among the other poll findings:

• 79 percent rarely or never use hearing protection

• 38 percent never water their lawns

• 28 percent believe they have the best looking lawn on their block

• 26 percent would prefer less lawn and more flowers, rocks or native landscaping

• 25 percent disagree with family members about mowing

• 24 percent have been injured while mowing

• 12 percent said they drink beer while mowing

• 10 percent say they’ve waited 28 days to mow

• 2 percent of lawns are mowed by a neighbor’s kid

Seven Secrets to a Perfect Lawn and Yard

1. Test the soil.  Testing and rebalancing the soil are very important. Consumer Reports advises testing soil at least every three years to ensure the soil did not go “sour” or “sweet,” otherwise known as alkaline or acidic. CR tested home kits and meters ranging from $4 to $68, but found that the results were not consistently accurate. CR recommends that homeowners use a private lab or local cooperative.

2. Fix the problems. Soil test results will tell how much lime to put down if soil is acidic, how much fertilizer is needed to boost the soil’s nutrients or how much sulfur to put down if the soil is alkaline. CR notes that timing is critical to fertilizer effectiveness.  For lawns in the northern United States, homeowners should fertilize once in the late spring and once or twice more from late summer into the fall. The last application should be before the final mow of the season. Lawns in the southern U.S. should be fertilized in the spring after they turn green, then again in July or August.  Early spring is the time to prevent crabgrass and other weeds.

3. Build up turf. Consumer Reports advises starting a new lawn if less than half of the existing lawn is covered with good grass.  If your lawn is thin only in spots, seeding can help make it thicker as well as more weed- and pest-resistant. Spring is the time to seed or start a new lawn of warm season grass.  In northern states, late summer through early fall is best.

4. Mow methodically. While it’s tempting to cut grass short to prolong the time between mowings, Consumer Reports warns that removing more than one third of the blade’s total height shortens its root system and weakens it.  Mowing heights vary, from 2½ to 3½ inches, by grass type. But CR notes that mower wheel height settings are not always precise and should be set using a level surface, such as the garage floor.

5. Mulch regularly. Consumers can save time and effort by using the mulch setting on their mower according to Consumer Reports. As the clippings decompose, their soil-enriching nitrogen promotes turf growth naturally.

6. Water wisely.  Half of all water applied to residential lawns is lost to evaporation, wind, or overwatering. The secret is to water deeply but infrequently—once a week is often enough, as long as it is done in the morning. Watering at night promotes mold and disease. Shoot for 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall, in the growing season.

7. Trim trees and shrubs. Properly pruned trees and shrubs add interest and variety to the yard. And mature ones are pretty expensive to replace. CR notes that established landscape plants rarely need to be watered, but new ones need water through their first couple of seasons.

The full report on lawn care and lawn-care service providers is part of the May 2008 issue of Consumer Reports available wherever magazines are sold and online at www.ConsumerReports.org.

Consumer Reports Lawn Care Poll Methodology
The Consumer Reports National Research Center conducted a telephone survey of a nationally representative probability sample of telephone households.  1,005 interviews were completed among adults aged 18+.  Interviewing took place over January 31 – February 3, 2008.  The margin of error is +/- 3.2% points at a 95% confidence level.