10 lawn care myths you need to stop believing

10 lawn care myths you need to stop believing Last Updated: 16/04/2025

Some myths and misconceptions about lawn care have been circulating for years, blurring the line between fact and fiction, potentially causing more damage than good.

We're going to debunk some popular myths (which you've probably heard before!) and explain the reasons as to why they aren't true, so you can ensure that your lawn thrives all year-round

Myth #1 "You need to water your lawn every day"

You may think watering your lawn everyday will prevent it from drying out however, this could lead to shallow roots and increase the chances of having fungal diseases. Lawns only need to be watered deeply and less frequently. This encourages deeper root growth which helps the grass survive dry spells.

Myth #2 "You should always keep the grass short when mowing"

It might reduce the number of times you need to pull out that mower out, but cutting your grass lower than 2 inches can stress the plant and cause more moss growth. Keeping grass ideally around 3 inches or more helps reduce the likelihood of weeds and preventing the grass turning yellow.

Myth #3 "Grass clippings should always be bagged"

Whilst we're on the topic of cutting lawns, some people believe that collecting and bagging the clippings is the best way to keep your lawn looking neat and tidy.

Although this is true in most cases, if your lawn is cut on a regular basis with a cylinder mower, feeding the clippings back into the lawn can provide several benefits. They return vital nutrients back into the soil, just like fertiliser. We would only recommend doing this if you have a fine grass ornamental lawn and cut it regularly with a cylinder mower.

Myth #4 "You should avoid aerating your lawn"

Many people that think using a machine which punches holes in your lawn isn't worth it and doesn't appear to look too appealing once the treatment has been completed

However, an annual aeration is an essential service for your lawn, as it allows water, nutrients, oxygen to reach grass roots more easily and promote healthier grass growth.

Aeration allows gaseous exchange to take place by opening up pathways to allow the release of air in the soil to be exchanged with the air in the atmosphere.

Myth #5 "Fertiliser is the best way to keep your lawn looking green"

We all want the emerald-green lawn, and some may resort to excessively using a lot of fertiliser (high nitrogen feeds in particular) to achieve this outcome. But this can cause more harm to your lawn and the environment if done incorrectly.

Our standard treatment programme offering 5 feed & weed treatments a year, plus an aeration will ensure your soil and grass is treated at the correct times, with the correct balance of nutrients. Our standard treatment programme is like a balanced diet for your lawn.

Myth #6 "Healthy lawn requires pesticides, constantly"

Applying pesticides on your lawn frequently, in the long-term isn't great for your lawn or the environment.

Preventative measures, such as mowing at the right height and watering properly can help. If problems persist, then pesticides should then be used only as required or get in touch with your local lawn expert to inspect.

The main issue we see with pesticide use is most people's lack of knowledge on how and when they should be used, which ultimately means a lot are needlessly applied for no benefit whatsoever.

Myth #7 "Darker grass mean healthier healthier grass"

It's been a long-standing saying that a lawn which has a dark green colour, means it's healthy.

This may be true in some instances however, multiple factors could have an influence such as type of grass, the soil and the amount of certain fertiliser nutrients used. In fact, a lighter green colour can be a perfectly healthy lawn whereas, darker green colour could indicate too much nitrogen, leading to weaker grass.

Myth #8 "All grass types are the same"

An often assumption is that any type of grass will work in your lawn because “grass is grass”, but this is not the case.

In the UK, the 3 main lawn grasses we see are Perennial Ryegrass, Fescues and Bents, but it is important to understand the pros and cons of each and their typical suggested use. For example, ryegrasses are great for a hardwearing lawn or football pitch, but not ideal for an ornamental lawn that you want to cut short with a cylinder mower.

Myth #9 "Lawns don't need shade"

Many people believe that lawns need the full sun to thrive, but that's not entirely true. In fact, particular varieties of fescues for example, can tolerate some shade. If your lawn has shaded areas, it's worth considering a varied mix of seed to ensure that it thrives in all conditions. This is also one of the great advantages of seeding compared to turfing - you can be more selective with the grass varieties used.

Myth #10 "Lawns are only to look at"

Some consider lawns to be just purely aesthetic, believing that's their only purpose. This, however, couldn't be any further from the truth. Lawns provide a wide range of benefits including environmental ones, like providing space for recreational activities, improving air quality and reducing soil erosion. When properly maintained, your garden and lawn can become a hotspot for supporting biodiversity and attracting buzzing bees!

Give your lawn the care it deserves

Now that we've debunked these myths, you can ensure that your lawn gets the best care and the opportunity to grow and thrive in a healthy environment!

Need help with your lawn?

If you'd like your lawn to look healthy and vibrant but don't have the time or have other reasons preventing you from doing it yourself, why not request a FREE quote and lawn analysis from your local lawn expert.