A lush, green lawn is a homeowner's pride, but it takes more than just mowing and watering to maintain it. Many people make mistakes which can cause harm to their lawn's health and appearance. In this article, we'll cover the top 5 lawn care mistakes our lawn professionals often come across, and how to avoid them.
One of the most common mistakes lawn owners make is both underwatering and overwatering their lawn. Too much water can lead to shallow root growth, making the grass more susceptible to disease and weed growth. It is recommended to water your lawn deeply and infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between watering.
On the contrary, most people also don't water their lawn enough at the relevant time of year. In hot, dry periods, we often see lawns dry out which causes all sorts of problems such as hydrophobic soil and Dry Patch.
Maintaining a healthy lawn involves more than just regular mowing. Resist the temptation to cut the grass too short, as it stresses the plants and makes them vulnerable to moss and diseases. Aim for a height of 2-3 inches and never cut more than a third of the leaf length in one pass. Keep mower blades sharp to prevent damage and disease
Additionally, ensure regular maintenance tasks like debris removal and dethatching to prevent suffocation and disease build-up. Compacted soil can hinder nutrient absorption; consider annual aeration to promote healthy root growth and soil health for a vibrant lawn.
Weeds can quickly take over a lawn if not properly controlled. Many homeowners have a go at this themselves and either burn patches of their lawn, or simply use the wrong product.
There are two main issues to consider with weeds that most people don't think about:
1. You need to know which active ingredients kill which weeds. You also typically need to apply the products when the weeds are actively growing as the chemical needs to hit a target. The technical term for this is post-emergence, and most weed killers will be post-emergence products.
2. It is always best to consult a professional for weed control because there is a much broader range of products available that will control any weed problems your lawns have.
Using the wrong type of fertiliser or applying it at the wrong time can do more harm than good to your lawn. It is important to choose a fertiliser specifically formulated for your type of grass and to follow the recommended application requirements.
Again, similar to weed killers, it is recommended to consult a professional for fertiliser advice as it is a vast subject where a lot of knowledge is required to make informed choices, and it will ensure you don't cause fertiliser burns.
You can put all the effort you like into your lawn, but if the soil is of bad quality, it will always be an uphill battle. A healthy lawn starts with healthy soil. Many lawn owners neglect to test their soil and add the necessary nutrients, leading to poor grass growth.
Understanding what your soil needs is an in-depth subject, therefore we do recommend you get professional advice. However, some things you can do yourself include checking the pH level with a pH meter and checking the properties of the soil with a soil sampler probe.
If you are unsure about how to properly care for your lawn, it is always best to consult a professional. A local Lawn Master expert can provide you with advice and services including seasonal feed & weed applications, and moss applications to help you achieve a beautiful healthy lawn all year-round.
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Written by Lawn Master Head Office. 25 Years of Professional Lawn Care Services
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