In terms of achieving an immaculate lawn, timing is all-important. You can take all of the critical steps—mowing, watering, weeding, and aerating—but if you do not do the right thing at the right time, all of your hard work could be for nothing.
In this article, we explore common lawncare mistakes and share simple steps to enhance the appearance of your lawn.
Mistake #1: Not Mowing Enough
Those with a large lawn and busy life can be tempted to leave mowing for another day. However, it is important to stay on top of your mowing schedule. Leaving it too long could result in a straggly, stressed lawn.
Many homeowners maintain a seven-day mowing schedule, mowing each weekend without fail. However, in spring, with growth is at its most vigorous, it may be necessary to mow every four or five days.
A regular mowing schedule makes your grass less attractive to ticks and fleas. Both creatures tend to make their home in long grass. As a general rule, you shouldn’t reduce the height of your grass by more than a third each time you mow. So if you prefer a well-trimmed lawn you will have to mow more often or you will stress the grass.
It is important that the blades of the mower are sharp. Dull blades will rip the grass rather than cutting it, with detrimental, unattractive results. Mowing only when it is dry prevents stress on your lawn, as well as reducing clothing stains.
Mistake #2: Choosing the Wrong Grasses
For an exceptional lawn, it is crucial to select the right grasses. Just like shrubs and garden flowers, turfgrasses have their own individual climate preferences and draught tolerances. Additionally, some are more appropriate for shady areas than others. Gardeners who choose seed over sod will be able to choose from a wider variey.
While Bermudagrass and other warm-season grasses thrive in hotter climates and summer heat, cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass are a great choice for areas where it gets chilly. By selecting a region-appropriate type of lawn grass, you can reduce the amount of watering you need to do.
Mistake #3: Failing to Fertilize Your Lawn
Sunshine and water are both vital to keep lawns healthy, but they can only do so much. Your grass will need a periodic boost of nutrients to keep it in tiptop condition. With a dizzying array of fertilizers on the market, selecting the right one can be tricky.
Unfortunately, even the best fertilizer will have little impact if it is not used properly. Rather than speculating about what your lawn needs, check your soil’s pH using a test kit—they’re widely available nurseries. If your soil is too alkaline, you can correct this by adding acidic fertilizers. If it is too acidic, opt for a lime treatment.
Packed with nutrients, compost is an eco-friendly way to replenish your lawn, particularly if you maintain your own compost heap. You should only fertilize when necessary, which is generally twice a year. Warm season grasses should be fertilized in fall or winter, while cool climate grasses should be fed in spring or summer.
Mistake #4: Allowing Your Lawn to Dry Out
Overwatering and underwatering can both have negative repercussions on your lawn. Contrary to popular belief, lawns do not need watering every day. Instead, you should aim to water the grass two to three times weekly during dry spells, ensuring that the water soaks into the top six inches of soil.
The best time to water is between the hours of 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. Watering before dawn encourages fungus, and watering in the midday sun leads to water loss. Not all grasses have the same watering requirements. Bermudagrass thrives in dry conditions, while cool season grasses need more moisture.
Mistake #5: Failing to Keep Weeds in Check
Be it your lawn or your flower bed, the presence of weeds creates competition for desirable plants, starving them of light, space, and nutrients. Your lawn is susceptible to a variety of different invasive species, including annual and perennial grassy weeds, crabgrass, and broadleaf weeds.
Keeping your lawn in good, healthy condition is the best way to deter weeds. This is why encouraging root growth by watering correctly is so important.
If you do spot weeds in your lawn, the remedy very much depends on weed type. You may need to apply a broadleaf killer, spot killer, or other type of treatment depending on the species. You can also opt to pull weeds by hand, but many types of weeds will simply grow back.
Mistake #6: Neglecting Aeration
Aeration is a simple yet surprisingly effective step to help your lawn become vibrant and green. Aeration alleviates compaction by removing soil plugs. This provides a route by which oxygen, water, and nutrients can reach the grass roots.
Over time, thatch builds up on your lawn, hampering nutrients from reaching the roots and causing your grass to become dried out and lackluster. Aim to aerate your lawn between August and October for best results.
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