Growing great grass; Readers and experts tell us what works--and what doesn't--for a show-off lawn.

Striking the balance of care needed for a successful lawn takes a bit of research and some practice. More than 6,000 online subscribers nationwide told us about how they mow, water, and fertilize, and how happy they are with their lawn's looks. Then we spoke with lawn-care experts to learn which practices work best and why.

We also asked those of you who use lawn services to rate them. And we even checked up on the neighbors. It turns out the grass is not always greener next door: More than 40 percent of you had complaints-neighbors who don't mow their lawns, let their leaves pile up, or let trash, leaves, or other debris blow onto your property.

Here's what our experts recommend:

MOW HIGH AND REGULARLY

Mowing high produces stronger, healthier grass with deeper roots and fewer weeds and pest problems. Most grasses are best mowed to 2 1D 2 to 3 1D 2 inches high. Check with your cooperative extension service for the ideal height for your type. That means you should probably cut your grass every 5 to 10 days on average, as 76 percent of you do. You might need to mow more often during the peak growing season. Our experts also suggest you make sure your mower blade is sharp and you choose grass that is hardy in your region. In Phoenix, that might mean Bermuda; in Tampa, St. Augustine; in Omaha, buffalo grass; in Albany, Kentucky bluegrass.

MULCH WHEN YOU MOW

Leaving clippings returns useful nutrients, cutting the amount of fertilizer the lawn needs by about 30 percent. About half of readers surveyed say they mulch at least some of the time. Mulching is also good for the environment because the clippings won't end up in a landfill.