Dad’s Blue Ribbon Lawn

The fact that my video for this didn’t save is a downright shame! My husband definitely took one for the team last weekend. You see, like many homeowners, our lawn — along with a long list of household maintenance chores — had been seriously neglected. And since fall in New Hampshire is the best time to plant grass, we decided it was finally time to give our yard the attention it deserved.

🌱 Enter: Dad’s Blue Ribbon Lawn

My dad takes great pride in maintaining his lawn like a pro, so I went straight to him for advice. He pointed me toward his grass guru at Tim’s Turf & Landscaping Materials in Litchfield, NH. I explained that our front yard bakes in the sun all summer with no irrigation and that our lawn-care philosophy had been, “If it’s green and can be mowed, it’s good enough.”

He nodded politely — probably wondering why we didn’t just pave it! (And honestly, if paving weren’t so expensive, we might have. It would solve the issue of snow-blown gravel and salt killing off what little grass survives the winter.)

🚜 The Grass Guru’s Game Plan

Dad’s Blue Ribbon Lawn

Here’s what our turf coach prescribed:

1. Mow one click lower than normal.

2. Dethatch the lawn in multiple directions.

3. Mow again to pick up all the loose debris.

I sincerely apologize to anyone driving by during this process — the dust cloud was biblical. I couldn’t see my husband through it, and I’m sure passing cars had a few terrifying moments of wondering if they’d entered a sandstorm. Let’s just say our car (and his clothes) looked like they’d gone through a construction site by the end.

Next up: apply a few inches of loam to low spots (optional), seed at half rate vertically and horizontally, apply starter fertilizer, go over it once more with the dethatcher, and then… walk away. Water lightly three times a day and let nature do its thing.

🌾 Can Lawn Care Really Be That Simple?

If my dad’s immaculate lawn is proof, then yes. But the grass guru did remind me there are many variables: quality and depth of loam, sun conditions, irrigation, and soil type all play major roles.

So, for now, we’re working with what’s in the budget — one load of loam, a solid seed and fertilizer combo from Tim’s Turf, and sprinklers on timers. But I couldn’t resist wondering if adding peat moss would help retain moisture in our dry, sandy soil.

That’s when I decided — in true New Hampshire experimental fashion — to test it myself. Half the lawn with peat moss, half without. We’ll see which side wins!

🏠 Home Maintenance Goes Beyond the Lawn

As fun (and dusty) as lawn projects can be, fall is also the perfect time to tackle a few other NH home maintenance essentials:

• 

  Tracey’s Lawn

  Clean your gutters before leaves turn to sludge.

• Seal up gaps and cracks around doors and foundations.

• Have your heating system serviced before the first frost.

• Check smoke and CO detectors.

• And here’s one most people forget — test your home for radon.

  

  Tracey’s Lawn

🍂 The Bottom Line

Fall in New Hampshire is about more than cider and foliage — it’s about protecting the investment that is your home.

So as you’re aerating lawns, setting timers, or maybe experimenting with peat moss like me, take a moment to check those other boxes: gutters, furnaces, and yes — radon testing.

Because a well-maintained home isn’t just about curb appeal; it’s about keeping your family healthy, safe, and ready for whatever winter throws at us next.

Looking for a trusted NH Home Inspector?
Reach out to Premier Home Inspection — your go-to resource for NH home inspections, radon testing, and helpful local home maintenance insights.