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You can thicken new grass by using fertilizer, watering it 1 to 1½ inches per week, mowing when it is at an optimal height, and preventing weeds. You should fertilize your grass while you plant the grass seed, or soon afterward. Use an herbicide to prevent weeds or spot spray with herbicide to kill existing weeds.

How often you should fertilize your lawn depends on its health. A healthy, lush lawn with good soil health may only need fertilizing once per year. Other lawns with shallow roots or that have been neglected or overly reliant on fertilizers may need an application as often as every six weeks.

You should apply sulfur to your lawn in the spring or fall when it is below 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Aim for a day with little to no wind so you can apply it with precision. You can apply sulfur to an established lawn or mix it into the top 6 inches of soil on an unplanted area.

A spot herbicide for weed control is effective at killing crabgrass and not grass, but it depends on the type of herbicide. Always check the label to ensure that your herbicide is safe for grass but tough on crabgrass. Overall, spot treatment is ideal because it puts fewer herbicides into the soil, which can damage the soil. If you’re wanting a natural remedy to crabgrass that also won’t harm surrounding grass, you can also hand-remove crabgrass or even pour boiling water or 5% vinegar over crabgrass as a spot treatment.