5 Common Lawn Care Mistakes Every Homeowner Makes
Lawn care isn’t as simple as it might seem. Many homeowners learn this fast.
Even if you attempt to stay on top of lawn maintenance, it’s possible your lawn doesn’t look the way you envisioned it. Perhaps this is happening because you’re making one of the following all-too-common (but equally understandable) lawn care errors:
Mowing Your Grass Too Low
Many homeowners assume it’s best to use the mower setting that will cut their grass the shortest. They may believe doing so will serve two purposes: ensuring their lawn looks neat and orderly while also increasing the length of time they can wait before mowing again.
However, mowing your grass too short can prevent it from absorbing nutrients in sunlight and air. The grass will simply have too little surface area. In addition, mowing too low can damage the roots, leaving them more vulnerable to harm.
For most home lawns, at best mowing height is between 1 to 3 inches. The shorter you maintain your lawn, the more frequently you will need to mow it. If you want it less than an inch, you will need to mow it twice per week, which can be a lot of work. Mowing between 1 to 3 inches will be the optimum for sunlight, water, and nutrient use.
Not Sharpening Your Mower Blades
Don’t assume your mower’s blades are sharp enough to cut your grass effectively! Every season, inspect your mower’s blades to determine whether they’ve grown dull after repeated use.
A common sign of dull blades is grass that appears frayed or shredded. If your grass doesn’t look cleanly cut after a mowing session, visit your local hardware store to ask if they can sharpen your mower blades. If you’d prefer to save money, they may also provide the tools for you to sharpen the blades yourself.
Not Adjusting Lawn Care With the Seasons
The right approach to lawn care during one season may not be ideal during another. Naturally, you may know the grass needs more water during certain times of year than others. In addition, it can grow more rapidly during some seasons, which may impact your mowing schedule.
Depending on what type of grass you grow and if you overseed, as winter turns to spring, you might find your current grass can no longer thrive in the warmer weather. You might thus need to transition your lawn to a different type of grass as the seasons change. A lawn care professional can explain the nuances of this process in greater detail.
Making Common Watering Mistakes
More water isn’t always better for your grass. Overwatering can carry nutrients away from the grass, resulting in the same essential consequences as underwatering.
The average lawn needs about 1.5 inches of water per week during the summer, but only a half inch per week during the winter. A lawn care expert can explain how much water your specific lawn may need based on the type of grass you have.
However, providing your lawn with the right amount of water doesn’t always mean you’re watering it correctly. The water needs time to reach the roots. Water long enough to penetrate the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches.
Choosing the Wrong Type of Grass
An earlier point highlighted the importance of transitioning to a new type of grass as the seasons change. Some homeowners don’t realize they may be using the wrong type of grass for the time of year they’re in.
For example, a sod variety like Midiron may be best for the warmer months of the year in a climate like Arizona’s. During the winter , you may want to consider overseeding with perennial ryegrass for a dark green color. One of the new trends for saving water in the winter is to paint your lawn with one of the newly developed pigments that will give your lawn a “real grass” color, without having to mow or water as much.
Speak With a Professional for More Lawn Care Information
The right sod for your lawn, the right schedule for watering, and various other lawn care details can depend on such factors as where you live, what type of visual effect you wish to achieve, and more.
Don’t worry if you make any of these lawn care errors. Homeowners often don’t realize that lawn care is both an art and a science. Fortunately, by coordinating with professionals, you can learn to keep your lawn looking its best for years to come.