These pictures don't do these lawns justice!
What you'll notice is a lack of weeds due primarily to routine mowing. Each of these lawns is mowed at 3.5", and no more than 1/3rd of the total length is trimmed off at a time. When only 1/3rd (or less) of your grass' total length is cut at a time it doesn't impair the growth of it's roots and though 3.5" is higher than many people prefer, taller grass roots deeper into the soil than shorter grass, and chokes out many of the weeds trying to invade your yard.
Most of the weeds in our area germinate seeds from their flowers in between 9-15 days. Mowing in 7 day intervals can disrupt the reproduction process for weeds like dandelions, if the flower is severed from the rest of the plant before it's seeds germinate. Since each of those little yellow flowers can produce between 150-200 seeds, mowing can act as a chemical free pre-emergent. More frequent mowing also helps feed your grass more consistently when you mulch the clippings back into the soil.
Another advantage to mowing at a higher height and mulching is that it creates an insulating barrier between the soil and outside environment. During dry periods you may notice that shorter grass has a tendency of going dormant much faster than taller grass. The combination of a poorer root system and severe lack of water may kill your lawn entirely or weaken it enough to allow weeds to thrive throughout it.
If you like to keep your yard short, you can do it a favor by watering it early in the morning during dry spells once or twice a week to keep it healthy. When you water any established lawn, you'll want to give it a good soaking to promote a stronger deeper root system during each watering. Watering it a little each day may actually encourage a shallower root system, which will make the grass dependent on continuous watering. Shallow roots and wet loose soil may also cause your grass to easily wash out during heavy storms or uproot when very little force is applied to it.
Essentially, your lawn's roots dictate how well it performs. You can get a professionally treated appearance, without spending a dime on actually getting it treated. These lawns aren't completely weed free by any means, but they act as their own weed deterrent, they withstand severe weather and drought, they stay greener longer, and they look good.
(I purposely took pictures of lawns that we've mowed for at least one full season that haven't been treated, from my mowing route. I didn't do this in an effort to discourage anyone from treating their lawn, but to help provide a better understanding of how grass responds to different situations and circumstances. This is meant to be a general guide for a typical homeowner or landscaping contractor to get optimal results when maintaining a lawn in Central PA. This assumes there are no pests or diseases actively killing your lawn, sufficient ph levels, and adequate sunlight/conditions for the types of grass that make up your lawn.)
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