Virginia Cooperative Extension

Best Lawn Program

Unhappy with your landscape?

Struggling with thinning grass or bare spots? Want to have a more environmentally conscious landscape, but don’t know where to start? BEST Lawns can help minimize the guesswork! By enrolling in our Building Environmentally Sustainable Turf (BEST) Lawn program, we will provide you with research-based and environmentally sound information about successfully maintaining and enhancing your lawn and gardens.

The BEST Lawn program makes the best use of valuable resources (your time and money) to decrease overfertilization and minimize your impact on the Chesapeake Bay watershed. A Prince William Master Gardener volunteer will visit your property to collect a soil sample and measure your lawn/garden areas. They will also survey your property for weeds and complete a thorough site analysis to identify landscape problems. After the site visit, your soil sample will be mailed to the Virginia Tech Soil Testing Laboratory for analysis. Based on the results of the soil analysis, a customized nutrient management plan will be written for you and will provide specific nutrient recommendations for lime and fertilizer. We will also provide additional resources on best landscape management practices, gardening, creating wildlife habitats, and more.

Depending upon the current condition of your landscape, converting to a BEST Lawn will take some time and planning. Don’t delay! A $40 fee covers one soil test, supplies, materials, and a personalized report. Additional soil samples are available for $15 each. Download the BEST Lawn Application to enroll. Please note: property assessments are prioritized by date of receipt, weather, soil moisture and Master Gardener volunteer availability.

For additional information, please contact the BEST Lawns Program Coordinator at [email protected] or 703-792-4037.

Landscape resources:

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Virginia Cooperative Extension
Environment and Natural Resources
8033 Ashton Ave. Suite 105
Manassas VA 20109
703-792-6285
[email protected]

Virginia Cooperative Extension complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are a person with a disability and require auxiliary aids services or other accommodations for a workshop or meeting, please discuss your accommodation needs at least five days prior to the event with Virginia Cooperative Extension 703-792-6289/TDD PC 1-800-828-1120.