While many homeowners have the motivation to take care of their lawn, they sometimes lack the knowledge needed to keep it flourishing. Some unwittingly take steps that are counterproductive to the health of their grass and garden, wondering why they end up with lackluster results for their hard work and effort. If this sounds like you, here are a few lawn care mistakes you might be making.

5 Lawn Care Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overwatering

While your lawn needs water to grow, it doesn’t require too much to be lush. Water it once or twice a week since most lawns only need an inch of drink. This also depends on the climate and weather, so keep those elements in mind throughout the spring and summer.

Deep, infrequent watering encourages your grass to grow far-reaching roots, which will keep it stronger and less susceptible to diseases. The best time to water your grass is in the early morning, giving it all day to dry out.  

2. Mowing Your Lawn Wrong

There are rules to mowing your lawn to make it grow healthy and beautiful, and one of these is to avoid cutting it too close. Limit trimming the grass to no more than one-third of its length—anything shorter removes the photosynthesizing blades and makes the grass more vulnerable to infestations. When cutting, make sure mower blades are sharp to prevent tearing off the grass; these frayed ends become open doors for fungus or pathogens and expose the turf to diseases. Every time you mow, do so in varying patterns to avoid ruts and bare spots from forming.  

3. Overdoing the Fertilizer

Fertilizing is essential, and like water, your grass won’t need as much as assumed. Read and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations before applying to your turf—the fertilizer schedule will often depend on the region and its climate. Getting heavy-handed on fertilizer can burn the grass and turn it brown.

4. Skipping on Weeding

Another lawn care mistake you might be committing is foregoing weeding. Weeds tend to propagate fast, so before they overrun your lawn, take time to pull them out or apply herbicide. If you’ve been prudent with fertilizing, the root system of your grass will expand and cover any bald spots, leaving less room for weeds to grow. And with only shallow roots to keep them anchored, weeds can be easily uprooted.

5. Ignoring the Soil

Fertilizer can only do much with keeping your lawn lush—it also needs to have good soil underneath. Before starting lawn care, do a soil test to see its current condition or health. It may have nutrient deficiencies and require a different kind of fertilizer to be healthier.

 

Keep the grass greener on your side with exceptional lawn care services from Landscape Carolina. Based in Lancaster, SC, they offer beautiful landscape design and a full range of services—from sodding and mulching to fertilizing and lawn mowing—to clients throughout Lancaster County. Call (803) 289-7888 or visit them online to view a comprehensive list of services offered.