Having a nice lawn doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. You can enjoy green grass without being compulsive or completely reliant on chemicals.

And although the organic-vs.-chemical debate continues, here are some ideas from experts on both sides for finding that happy medium:

• Think about what you need and want in a lawn. Is it all for show? Or do the kids like to play baseball and football out there? You can accommodate both by keeping most of the yard green while carving out some space for decorative plant borders or small gardens.

• If you want to stay all-grass, consider adding different kinds, rather than growing only one. A so-called monoculture leaves the yard more vulnerable to pests and drought.

(For information about which kinds of grass are best for your lawn conditions, visit turfgrassmanagement.psu.edu/seeds.cfm.)

• Decide how much maintenance you're willing to do. Some grasses have to be reseeded once in a while; others grow happily by themselves.

• If you use chemical lawn-care products, be sure to accurately identify the problem you want to treat, then follow the instructions to the letter. Spot-treat whenever possible.

• Regardless of what the neighbors are doing, determine your comfort level with weeds among the grass. And don't be too quick to yank the clover, which naturally adds nitrogen to a lawn. A century ago, most lawns had a lot of clover, as well as other plants and wildflowers.

• Mow high. Longer grass (three inches or so) makes it hard for crabgrass to get the sun it needs to thrive. It also reduces evaporation and produces deeper roots.

• And leave the grass clippings on the lawn. When clippings naturally decay, they add valuable nutrients to the soil and can cut your fertilizer needs in half.