Common Lawn Care Mistakes

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Maintaining your lawn doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, proper lawn care is easy to do with the right set of tools and knowledge. In order to properly take care of your lawn, here are some of the most common lawn care mistakes you can make and how you can best avoid them.

Improper Fertilization

Over-fertilization is a common issue for homeowners. While fertilizer does provide nutrients, using too much of it can actually damage your lawn. For example, using too much fertilizer can make your grass grow too fast, which will in turn require more mowing. It could also cause your lawn to be more susceptible to disease as a result of the root not being established properly.

Use an adequate amount of fertilizer in your lawn by following the product’s instructions. Also, fertilize only when the grass is actively growing and not when it’s going through drought hibernation or dormancy during winter. This will ensure that the fertilizer is absorbed properly.

Not Testing Your Soil Regularly

Soil conditions change over time with weather patterns, so it’s important to do a soil test every 3 years. This will give you a snapshot of what your lawn’s health is. In turn, this will allow you to use fertilizer or other products to create the ideal conditions for your grass to thrive.

Watering Incorrectly

The time of day that you use to water your lawn is important. Watering in the middle of the day when the sun is strongest could cause most of the water to evaporate before it reaches the roots of the grass. Alternatively, watering at night could lead to waterlogged lawns or soggy grass.

Watering deeply and infrequently is best, with the best time being between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM. This will allow the water to be properly absorbed to ensure that it reaches the roots.

Watering Too Much

Watering too much is a common issue for many households. Most lawns require about an inch of water each week, but most people make the mistake of running the sprinkler every day. Instead, try watering your lawn with ⅓ inch of water, 3 times a week. This will give your lawn the 1 inch of water that it needs each week.

Keep in mind that some types of grass in different environments might require more or less watering, so make sure to do some research before committing to a set watering schedule.

Mowing Too Short

You might think that you’re saving yourself time by mowing your grass short, but you might be causing more harm than good. If the grass blade is too short, this could cause issues with the way that the light and water is processed.

To avoid any issues with your lawn, cut it no less than 2 to 3 inches in length. This comes with the added benefit of the longer grass blades shading the ground to prevent weeds from growing.

Mowing With A Dull Blade

A sharp mower blade will give you a nice, even cut. However, using a dull blade will often leave you with torn or bruised shoots. This can in turn lead to gray or brown blades that could leave your grass vulnerable to disease.

If you notice that your grass is being pulled when you mow, your mower could be due for a sharpening. Aim to sharpen your mower blade once or twice each 3-4 months to ensure that the cut is clean.

Proper Lawn Care Is Essential

Taking care of your lawn can seem like too much at first, but if you avoid the common lawn care mistakes outlined above you will be well on your way to a healthier lawn.

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