I can still remember growing up in a small neighborhood in the city full of young families with children very near my own age. We spent our summers in someone’s front yard, only returning home when the street lights came on. We tumbled, ran, jumped and wrestled on the soft lawn. On hot days we jumped through the sprinkler, jumping on the grass to see who could make the biggest splash. On rainy days, we did the same. Kids and lawns go together like America and apple pie.

Because a lush green lawn is such an integral part of childhood, I did much research when we moved into our new home. Our lawn needed to be planted and we wanted it to be both safe and comfortable for our children and pets. Here’s what I found out:

1. Choose Your Seed Correctly
As far as I knew, planting a lawn involved running to the home store, picking up a bag of seed and throwing it down. Was I wrong! Different seeds grow to their full potential in different climates and also provide a different texture to the lawn. Common seeds include: perennial rye, Bermuda, fescue, zoysia and buffalo grass. All lend themselves to different climates and different looks. Research your seed!

2. Avoid Synthetic Fertilizers
While an emerald green lawn is certainly beautiful, it can come at a price if you use synthetic fertilizers. Try to maintain your lawn in a way that is healthier for the environment and your family. Compost makes a great fertilizer as do grass and leave clippings. There are organic fertilizers that can be used as well though these are still less desirable than compost.

3. Mow Correctly
Many people are in the bad habit of mowing their lawns too short. I was no different. A great length for your grass is three and a half inches. Grass of this height is more readily able to perform photosynthesis, requires less watering and will provide a cushion for your children as they play outside. Higher grass will also smother weeds with shade, killing them before they’ve had a chance to grow.

4. Rubber Mulch
Rather than placing a swing set or jungle gym on top of the grass, consider creating a play area with landscape timbers and rubber mulch. Rubber mulch will provide more cushion should your child fall off of their toy and will keep high-traffic areas of your lawn from being ruined.

5. Watering
Use hot days to your advantage. Grass needs to be watered deeply and infrequently. Use the kids playtime, as I do, to water your lawn. Put the kids in their bathing suits, turn on the sprinkler or hose and have a great time in the yard. Your children will have fun and your grass will be watered at the same time.

Kids and lawns go hand-in-hand. Maintaining a lawn that is safe and comfortable for your children and pets isn’t hard to do when you conduct a bit of research first. By learning what I needed to do before I did it, I was able to create a lovely lawn for my kids. It’s my hope that when they grow-up they’ll have the same great memories that I do!

Jonathan McGraw is a natural landscape designer who writes for naturesfinestseed.com. Check their site for lawn choices and supplies, from Fescue Grass Seed to information about buffalo grass seed .