Keep spring nitrogen to a minimum, unless using organics (where this doesn't matter--and in fact higher levels can decay off thatch for you).

Water 1" a week, all at once.

Mow at the proper height for your grass, and always mulch mow (it injects rotting organics right into the thatch layer).

Where do you live?
What kind of grass do you have?
What was your watering regimen during the summer?
When were the last two times you fertilized and what did you use?