Healthy lawns are not only appealing, but they also provide significant environmental benefits. A healthy lawn requires more than weekly mowing and a sprinkling of water. It needs a combination of knowledge, skill, and experience. This blog explains the four most typical lawn care mistakes and how to avoid them.
Planting grass where it won’t grow
A healthy lawn requires the presence of grass. Many homeowners try to push grass to grow where it isn’t supposed to, resulting in frustration, wasted effort, and, in some cases, wasted money. Grasses are primarily sun-loving plants with little shade tolerance. Set yourself up for success with ground covers that flourish in sun-starved places rather than futile attempts at getting grass to grow if you’re attempting to add green to a shady spot.
Too much water or too little water
Although each lawn is different, a good rule of thumb is to assume your lawn requires about an inch of water every week. If it doesn’t rain naturally, it will require some attention. If you don’t have an irrigation system, keep in mind that grasses prefer fewer frequent, deeper waterings that provide a good solid soak to their roots than more frequent shallow water.
Mowing too short
Mowing the grass too short is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make when it comes to lawn care. For many people, over-mowing is a way to save a little energy or time by cutting the grass shorter and so reducing the need to mow. However, this ill-conceived time saver actually harms your grass by leaving the root systems shallow and unable to absorb all of the nutrients it requires. Most grasses do so when they are trimmed to 21/2” to 3 inches.
Improper use of fertilizer
Fertilizer used correctly helps grass to grow thick and lush, allowing the grass to be powerful and capable of uprooting weeds. When it comes to fertilizer application, there are several common mistakes. One of the most common is using it at the wrong time of year. Most lawns require 4-6 fertilizer applications each year, with the fall application being the most critical. Fertilize when the grass is actively growing. While many people assume that having more of something is preferable to having less, this is not true when it comes to fertilizer. Too much fertilizer results in a lot of plant leaf, which prevents the roots from growing properly. Furthermore, too much fertilizer might cause the lawn to burn.
Every homeowner wishes for a healthy lawn, but getting your yard in tip-top shape is often easier said than done. It’s preferable to work with a local landscape professional to bring your ideas to life and construct your dream landscape. Contact the Turfman staff today with any turf-related questions!