{"id":154137,"date":"2026-09-15T13:20:56","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T16:20:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/?p=154137"},"modified":"2026-09-15T13:20:59","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T16:20:59","slug":"how-to-assess-new-lawn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-assess-new-lawn\/","title":{"rendered":"Inherited a Lawn? How to Assess Your New Yard&#8217;s Grass Type, Soil, and Health"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes has-medium-font-size\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Key Takeaways:<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>\u2022 <strong>Identify your grass type and test your soil<\/strong> before doing anything.<br>\u2022 <strong>A soil test reveals pH, nutrients, and organic matter<\/strong>, which helps determine what fertilizer your lawn needs.<br>\u2022 <strong>Issues the previous owner left behind<\/strong> (weed seeds, compacted soil, pH imbalance) can negatively impact the overall health of your lawn.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A new lawn doesn&#8217;t come with a manual. Whether you just closed on a new construction house or you&#8217;re staring at a yard the last owner clearly didn&#8217;t touch, you might be left guessing what it needs.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Incorrectly diagnosing a lawn issue is how new homeowners end up buying the wrong fertilizer, overseeding the wrong grass, or implementing a treatment plan built for a completely different grass type.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Getting the lawn diagnosis right prevents wasted time and money. Once you know your grass type and soil condition, you&#8217;re ready to build an action plan. If you don\u2019t want to mess with the details, hand your results straight to a <a href=\"https:\/\/signup-web.lawnstarter.com\/cart\/contact-info?intent=mowing\">local LawnStarter pro<\/a>.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-dc6ace55-b552-485f-83e6-535872a2a04e\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\" style=\"\">In this article:<\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column\"> \t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-assess-new-lawn\/#0-how-to-assess-your-new-lawn\" style=\"\">How to Assess Your New Lawn<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-assess-new-lawn\/#1-1-walk-the-lawn-first-what-to-look-for\" style=\"\">1. Walk the Lawn First: What to Look For<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-assess-new-lawn\/#2-2-identify-your-grass-type\" style=\"\">2. Identify Your Grass Type<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-assess-new-lawn\/#3-3-test-your-soil-ph-compaction-and-nutrients\" style=\"\">3. Test Your Soil: pH, Compaction, and Nutrients<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-assess-new-lawn\/#4-4-watch-for-signs-of-pests-and-disease\" style=\"\">4. Watch for Signs of Pests and Disease<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-assess-new-lawn\/#5-what-the-previous-owner-may-have-left-behind\" style=\"\">What the Previous Owner May Have Left Behind<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-assess-new-lawn\/#6-turn-your-assessment-into-an-action-plan\" style=\"\">Turn Your Assessment Into an Action Plan<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-assess-new-lawn\/#7-faq\" style=\"\">FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 id=\"0-how-to-assess-your-new-lawn\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Assess Your New Lawn<\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you pull out your wallet, do a quick assessment of your lawn: Walk through the yard, identify your grass type, and test your soil. Then note any potential pest or disease issues. These 4 simple steps tell you exactly what you&#8217;re working with and help you make the most of every dollar.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"1-1-walk-the-lawn-first-what-to-look-for\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Walk the Lawn First: What to Look For<\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you haven\u2019t yet taken a detailed look at the lawn, now\u2019s the time. Take a walk through the lawn (front, back, and sides) and note what you see:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Thin patches:<\/strong> Bare, sparse, or missing grass.<\/li>    <li><strong>Compacted soil:<\/strong> Press a screwdriver into the ground. If it won&#8217;t sink 2 inches with hand pressure, it\u2019s a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/signs-compacted-soil\/\">sign of compacted soil<\/a>.<\/li>    <li><strong>Thatch buildup:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/what-is-thatch\/\">Thatch is a spongy brown layer<\/a> between the grass blades and soil. As a general rule, once it exceeds 1\/2 inch, it\u2019s time to dethatch.<\/li>    <li><strong>Drainage problems:<\/strong> Low spots that hold standing water after rain.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Write down everything you find.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCheck the soil for compaction, look for thatch buildup, scan for weeds and bare patches, and watch for signs of grubs or pests,\u201d says Adam Gorham, a new homeowner in Massachusetts and founder of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adamgorhamfilms.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Adam Gorham Films<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNote where water pools after rain, too, because drainage problems hide until they&#8217;ve already done damage.\u201d<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>See Related:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/landscaping\/improve-drainage-in-your-yard\/\">7 Ways to Improve Drainage in Your Yard<\/a><\/p>    <h3 id=\"2-2-identify-your-grass-type\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Identify Your Grass Type<\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"505\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/rsz_lawnstarter-overseeding-map_1-1.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"United States map showing the cool season grass, warm season grass and the transition zones\" class=\"wp-image-111242\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/rsz_lawnstarter-overseeding-map_1-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/rsz_lawnstarter-overseeding-map_1-1-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/rsz_lawnstarter-overseeding-map_1-1-646x408.jpg 646w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/rsz_lawnstarter-overseeding-map_1-1-150x95.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/rsz_lawnstarter-overseeding-map_1-1-768x485.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Infographic by Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every lawn care decision (fertilizer timing, mowing height, whether to overseed) depends on knowing what type of grass you have.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The U.S. is split into 3 growing zones:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Northern zone:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/cool-season-grass-growing-guide\/\">Cool-season grasses<\/a> such as Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and ryegrass usually grow in northern lawns. Cool-season grass actively grows during the fall and spring.<\/li>    <li><strong>Southern zone:<\/strong> In the warm regions of the South, lawns usually have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/warm-season-grass-growing-guide\/\">warm-season grasses<\/a> such as Bermudagrass, St. Augustine, and Zoysia. Warm-season grasses go dormant or slow their growth by fall.<\/li>    <li><strong>Transition zone (middle third of the country):<\/strong> Both warm-season and cool-season grasses grow here, so misidentifying your grass leads to the most expensive mistakes.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gorham recalls how he identified his grass type at his first new house: \u201cI pulled a small plug, took close-up photos of the blades, and matched them against a local Extension guide.\u201d<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are still having difficulty identifying your grass, take it to your county Extension office or try <a href=\"https:\/\/ask.extension.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ask Extension<\/a>. Upload photos of your grass and ask Extension experts for help.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 id=\"3-3-test-your-soil-ph-compaction-and-nutrients\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Test Your Soil: pH, Compaction, and Nutrients<\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A soil test is the single most useful $10-$25 you can spend on a new lawn. It measures pH, nutrient levels, and organic matter, all factors that determine whether fertilizer will actually work.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most grass performs best between a pH of 6.0 and 7.0, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.okstate.edu\/fact-sheets\/acidifying-lawns-and-garden-soils-in-oklahoma\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oklahoma State University Extension<\/a>. Outside that range, nutrients in the soil become less soluble, so even a perfectly timed fertilizer application won&#8217;t help much if plants are unable to absorb the nutrients.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-prepare-soil-sample\/\">prepare a soil sample for testing<\/a>:<\/p>    <ol class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Dig 8-15 small plugs that are 4-6 inches deep from different spots in the yard.&nbsp;<\/li>    <li>Mix them together.<\/li>    <li>Send them to your local Extension office or run them through a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-use-soil-test-kit\/\">soil test kit<\/a>. Results from your Extension service typically take 1-3 weeks.<\/li> <\/ol>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Testing frequency:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umn.edu\/managing-soil-and-nutrients\/soil-testing-lawns-and-gardens\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of Minnesota Extension<\/a> recommends retesting the soil every 3-5 years once your lawn is established, or whenever you are planning to make a change to your lawn, such as installing a new garden bed.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>See Related:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-read-soil-test-report\/\">How to Read a Soil Test Report<\/a><\/p>    <h3 id=\"4-4-watch-for-signs-of-pests-and-disease\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Watch for Signs of Pests and Disease<\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"586\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AdobeStock_795910948.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"A cross-section illustration of a lawn showing a white grub curled in the soil beneath a patch of dead, brown grass surrounded by otherwise healthy green turf, demonstrating how lawn grubs damage grass from the roots up.\" class=\"wp-image-154144\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AdobeStock_795910948.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AdobeStock_795910948-300x220.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AdobeStock_795910948-656x481.jpg 656w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AdobeStock_795910948-150x110.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AdobeStock_795910948-768x563.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A white grub beneath the soil, causing a patch of grass above to turn brown. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/lawn-grub-damage-as-chinch-larva-damaging-grass-roots-causing-a-brown-patch-disease-in-the-turf-as-a-damaged-healthy-lawn-representing-gardening-and-landscaping\/795910948\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">freshidea<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Irregular brown or yellow patches that lift like loose carpet point to white grubs, the beetle larvae that eat grass roots from below.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are the times of year when grub damage typically shows up:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Fall:<\/strong> Late August through October<\/li>    <li><strong>Spring:<\/strong> March to early May<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Confirm a grub infestation by cutting a one-square-foot section of grass 2-3 inches deep and folding it back. If you find 10-20 or more C-shaped white grubs, you likely need to treat them. Check out the common <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/signs-lawn-has-grubs\/\">signs your lawn has grubs<\/a> for what healthy vs. infested grass looks like.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Circular or ring-shaped dead spots point to lawn diseases rather than pests. Lawn diseases are the more likely culprit if your walk-through also turned up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/signs-lawn-has-too-much-thatch\/\">too much thatch<\/a> buildup (over 1\/2 inch) or drainage problems. Both excess moisture and excess thatch feed fungus.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"5-what-the-previous-owner-may-have-left-behind\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What the Previous Owner May Have Left Behind<\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are 4 common issues new homeowners might discover in their lawn:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Dormant weed seeds:<\/strong> If the previous owner let weeds go to seed, they&#8217;re already in your soil waiting for the right conditions to grow. A pre-emergent herbicide applied in early fall or early spring can stop many of them from germinating.<\/li>    <li><strong>Soil pH imbalance:<\/strong> Certain soil types have a pH outside of the ideal 6.0-7.0 range, leaving your yard with either too many or too few nutrients. A soil test will catch this before you waste money on unneeded fertilizer.<\/li>    <li><strong>Compaction:<\/strong> New-construction lots often have severely compacted soil from heavy equipment. Need to measure soil compaction? Try our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-test-for-compacted-soil\/#2-screwdriver-test\">screwdriver test<\/a>. Aeration is one of the best ways to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-fix-compacted-soil\/\">fix compacted soil<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li>    <li><strong>Grub eggs:<\/strong> Adult beetles lay eggs from June to August. If the previous owner never treated for grubs, your lawn&#8217;s roots may already be under attack by the time brown patches show up.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gorham recalls his own yard being in a rough state when he moved in.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe previous owner had let it go, so we inherited patchy grass, thick weeds along the fence line, and a layer of thatch choking everything underneath. We didn&#8217;t try to fix it all at once. We started by raking out the thatch and pulling the worst weeds, then aerated and overseeded the bare spots that fall.\u201d<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt wasn&#8217;t glamorous, but by the next summer the lawn was thick enough that the weeds had nowhere to move in,\u201d he says.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"6-turn-your-assessment-into-an-action-plan\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Turn Your Assessment Into an Action Plan<\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you know your grass type, soil results, and what the previous owner left behind, you&#8217;re ready to act.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whatever the problem is in your lawn, use these guides to learn how to fix it:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-aerate-lawn\/\">How to Aerate Your Lawn: A Complete Guide<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-dethatch-lawn\/\">How to Dethatch Your Lawn (Plus When to Hire a Pro)<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/home-garden\/lawn-grubs-how-kill\/\">Lawn Grubs: How and When to Kill Them<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-fix-patchy-grass\/\">How to Fix Patchy Grass<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/types-soil-amendments\/\">What are the Different Types of Soil Amendments for Turfgrass Lawns?<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If DIY yard work isn\u2019t for you, hand over your soil test report to a <a href=\"https:\/\/signup-web.lawnstarter.com\/cart\/contact-info?intent=mowing\">local lawn care pro<\/a> who can help you formulate and execute a precision plan for your lawn.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"7-faq\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ<\/h2>    <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1787711631660\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can I Identify My Grass Type Without a Soil Test?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. Blade shape, color, and growth pattern (spreading vs. clumping) usually provide enough info to identify the grass type on your own. A soil test is a separate step that tells you about pH and nutrients in your soil, not grass species.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1787711642541\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">My New Lawn is Mostly Weeds. Should I Still Test the Soil?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. A soil test tells you why the weeds are winning. For example, if the pH balance is too acidic, it encourages weeds. By identifying nutrient deficiencies in your yard, a soil test informs how to amend your soil before you waste money on a weed treatment that doesn&#8217;t address the root cause.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1787711653303\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Should I Hire a Pro, or Can I Assess My Own Lawn?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The yard walk through, grass ID, and soil sample are all DIY-friendly. A professional assessment is worth it if the lawn&#8217;s condition is unclear, the yard is large, or you&#8217;d rather start treatment immediately once the diagnosis is done.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>    <h2 id=\"8-hire-a-local-lawn-care-pro\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hire a Local Lawn Care Pro<\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Assessing and rehabbing a lawn takes a keen eye, the right equipment, and time you may not have. If you&#8217;d rather leave it to someone who does this every day, <a href=\"https:\/\/signup-web.lawnstarter.com\/cart\/contact-info?intent=mowing\">LawnStarter&#8217;s mowing pros<\/a> make it simple: Get an instant quote, choose a time, and a background-checked local pro will handle the rest.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/signup-web.lawnstarter.com\/cart\/contact-info?intent=mowing\">Get a free mowing estimate near you \u2192<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle wp-block-ub-content-toggle-block\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-block-9f82c94d-c31d-444f-8c60-865f65b404fa\" data-mobilecollapse=\"true\" data-desktopcollapse=\"true\" data-preventcollapse=\"false\" data-showonlyone=\"false\"> <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-9f82c94d-c31d-444f-8c60-865f65b404fa\" tabindex=\"0\"> \t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-9f82c94d-c31d-444f-8c60-865f65b404fa\" style=\"color: #000000; \"><strong>Sources:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div> \t\t<\/div> \t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-9f82c94d-c31d-444f-8c60-865f65b404fa\">  <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Adam Gorham, homeowner in Massachusetts and founder of Adam Gorham Films. Personal interview.<\/li> <\/ul>  <\/div> \t\t<\/div> <\/div>   <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Main Image: A family of four embraces on the green lawn of their newly purchased home next to a sold sign. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/mortgage-hug-and-parents-with-children-new-home-and-milestone-for-homeowner-with-property-and-yard-real-estate-sold-and-embrace-for-relocation-to-house-space-and-investment-for-people-with-kids\/1445867656\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/mortgage-hug-and-parents-with-children-new-home-and-milestone-for-homeowner-with-property-and-yard-real-estate-sold-and-embrace-for-relocation-to-house-space-and-investment-for-people-with-kids\/1445867656\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Moller\/peopleimages.com<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p><div class=\"ays-arp-under-posts-container ays-arp-elegant-layout related-posts\" id=\"ays-arp-under-posts-container-154137-6aa98b2b48bdb\"  data-id=\"6aa98b2b48bdb\" data-ratio=\"1\"><h2 class=\"ays-arp-under-posts-container-title\">Related Posts:<\/h2><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"ays-arp-id-6aa98b2b48bdb\" value=\"154137\"><div class=\"ays-arp-under-posts\"><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post\"><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-header\"><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-img-row\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/lawn-care-cost-new-homeowners-guide\/\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-link\"  ><img src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/How-Much-Does-Lawn-Care-Cost-A-New-Homeowners-Budgeting-Guide-768x512.png?wsr\" alt=\"A two-story residential house with a brick exterior and balcony next to a manicured lawn\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-img\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/How-Much-Does-Lawn-Care-Cost-A-New-Homeowners-Budgeting-Guide-768x512.png?wsr\" alt=\"A two-story residential house with a brick exterior and balcony next to a manicured lawn\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-img ays-arp-under-post-img-mobile\"><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-content\"><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-title-row\"><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/lawn-care-cost-new-homeowners-guide\/\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-link\"  >How Much Does Lawn Care Cost? A...<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-read-more-row\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/lawn-care-cost-new-homeowners-guide\/\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-link\"  ><span class=\"ays-arp-under-post-read-more\">Read more<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post\"><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-header\"><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-img-row\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/fall-lawn-care-checklist\/\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-link\"  ><img src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HEROfallchecklist-SMALL-768x576.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Illustartive image showing fall leaves and a rake in the background. The words \"LawnStarter, your fall lawn care checklist\" are overlayed in the foreground.\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-img\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HEROfallchecklist-SMALL-768x576.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Illustartive image showing fall leaves and a rake in the background. The words \"LawnStarter, your fall lawn care checklist\" are overlayed in the foreground.\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-img ays-arp-under-post-img-mobile\"><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-content\"><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-title-row\"><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/fall-lawn-care-checklist\/\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-link\"  >LawnStarter&#039;s Fall Lawn Care Checklist<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-read-more-row\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/fall-lawn-care-checklist\/\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-link\"  ><span class=\"ays-arp-under-post-read-more\">Read more<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post\"><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-header\"><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-img-row\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/straw-over-grass-seed\/\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-link\"  ><img src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Straw-768x512.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Gardener covering lawn with straw mulch\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-img\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Straw-768x512.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Gardener covering lawn with straw mulch\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-img ays-arp-under-post-img-mobile\"><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-content\"><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-title-row\"><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/straw-over-grass-seed\/\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-link\"  >Should You Put Straw Over Grass Seed?<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-read-more-row\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/straw-over-grass-seed\/\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-link\"  ><span class=\"ays-arp-under-post-read-more\">Read more<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post\"><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-header\"><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-img-row\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-often-water-grass-seed\/\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-link\"  ><img src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/8986743787_d1d6c72e16_h-1-768x512.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"new grass growing\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-img\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/8986743787_d1d6c72e16_h-1-768x512.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"new grass growing\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-img ays-arp-under-post-img-mobile\"><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-content\"><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-title-row\"><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-often-water-grass-seed\/\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-link\"  >How Often to Water Grass Seed<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-read-more-row\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-often-water-grass-seed\/\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-link\"  ><span class=\"ays-arp-under-post-read-more\">Read more<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post\"><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-header\"><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-img-row\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-prevent-neighbors-dog-pooping-in-yard\/\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-link\"  ><img src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AdobeStock_299080782-768x512.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"A chocolate Labrador retriever defecating on a green lawn in a backyard, with a weathered white fence and a small tree in the background.\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-img\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AdobeStock_299080782-768x512.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"A chocolate Labrador retriever defecating on a green lawn in a backyard, with a weathered white fence and a small tree in the background.\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-img ays-arp-under-post-img-mobile\"><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-content\"><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-title-row\"><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-prevent-neighbors-dog-pooping-in-yard\/\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-link\"  >How to Prevent the Neighbor\u2019s Dog from...<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ays-arp-under-post-read-more-row\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-prevent-neighbors-dog-pooping-in-yard\/\" class=\"ays-arp-under-post-link\"  ><span class=\"ays-arp-under-post-read-more\">Read more<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">\n            #ays-arp-under-posts-container-154137-6aa98b2b48bdb {\n                width: 100%;\n                word-break: break-word;\n            }\n\n            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Learn how to identify your grass type, test soil health, and spot what the previous owner left behind before you spend a dime.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-assess-new-lawn\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Lawnstarter\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-09-15T16:20:56+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-09-15T16:20:59+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/How-To-Assess-Your-New-Lawn.jpg?wsr\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Danielle Gorski\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Danielle Gorski\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/lawn-care-2\\\/how-to-assess-new-lawn\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/lawn-care-2\\\/how-to-assess-new-lawn\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Danielle Gorski\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/406e86b8c28432c8a8799f1e7b919165\"},\"headline\":\"Inherited a Lawn? 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