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Maintaining a verdant lawn is a source of pride for most homeowners, but you shouldn’t go to any lengths to achieve that emerald green perfection. There are some chemicals and techniques that should never be used for lawn care purposes, whether for safety reasons or due to their negative effect on the well-being of the grass and soil. Here’s what to avoid when striving for a lush and healthy lawn.

What to Avoid When Using Lawn Care Chemicals

1. Too Much Fertilizer

lawn careUsing fertilizer can help transform your lawn from a spotty mess into a gorgeous oasis, but it shouldn’t be overused. Using too much or applying it at the wrong time can rob the lawn of vital nutrients and elements for growth. In fact, the nitrogen used in most types of fertilizers can effectively “burn” the grass when applied in large quantities. Also, check the release time of your chosen fertilizers. Some release their nitrogen into the soil quickly, but others do so slowly. Knowing this time period is crucial to not overdoing it.

2. Applying Lawn Care Chemicals to Young Grass

Younger grass is more susceptible to the potential negative effects of chemicals than mature lawns. Because of its lowered resistance, it might even die after the application of herbicides. Three months is the youngest recommended age for chemical application, but it’s safer to wait four or five months to avoid any damage. Even then, the herbicide should only be used in small amounts.

3. Using Vinegar

While vinegar can be an effective and organic method of removing weed seedlings from a garden, it’s typically used in a damaging way. Horticultural vinegar’s active ingredient, acetic acid, is more concentrated than what is found in kitchen vinegar. Because of this, it can actually seriously burn your skin and eyes and corrode tin, iron, aluminum, and even concrete. Acetic acid is also a contact agent, meaning it will only kill what it touches. So, while you may see weeds brown up and die after only a day or so after application, the roots are alive and well and ready to spring back up. In general, it’s best to protect your health and simply pull up weeds by the roots.

 

Lawn care is often a complicated and precise process. Instead of chancing brown grass, leave it to the professionals of Taylor’s Weed & Pest Control. With more than 40 years of experience serving the Hobbs, NM, region, the company understands exactly what it takes to remove pesky weeds in a safe and ecological way. For more information, call (575) 492-9247 or visit the website today.

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