Whether you love spending time outdoors or hosting barbecues in the backyard, you want to make sure your weed is green and healthy this summer. And while cutting grass seems easy enough, you’re probably making some common lawn care mistakes that could ruin your yard.
Additionally, avoiding these mistakes makes life easier and less work when it comes to maintaining a lush lawn. So, before you hop off the lawnmower to tackle your yard, here are seven common lawn care mistakes you’re probably making right now.
1. Plant grass in places where it won’t grow
It is always practical to learn how to plant grass seed to make your lawn greener, but a common mistake is growing grass where it just isn’t supposed to live. Grasses need full sun to thrive. So if you plant seeds in shady areas, they may not survive. Instead, it is recommended to use ground cover plants that suit the soil and appearance of your garden. “It’s important that you understand the composition of your garden from the ground up to where it is placed,” agrees Anna Hampshire Marshalls, the landscape experts. “This is how you effectively prepare your garden for the sun. From positioning patio furniture in shady or sun-kissed areas to knowing whether or not to mulch planted areas, knowing what is required is sure to make the heatwave a little gentler on your outdoor space.”
Keep in mind that different types of grasses thrive in different regions of the country. So be sure to choose the grass seed that is best suited to your region.
2. Always mow in the same direction
We all have our mowing techniques, but we never cut grass in the same direction every time. This prevents the blades of grass from “buckling over” to create a lush and healthier lawn. Ideally, the blades of grass should stand up, but if you find your grass beginning to curve horizontally, run a light rake over the lawn before mowing. If you want to be fancy, you can learn too how to graze your lawn to make it look bigger.
3. Overwatering of the grass
Overwatering our lawns is a common mistake, especially in warmer weather. Very often we feel like the more water it gets the greener it gets, but it can actually do the opposite. “Overwatering the grass can cause it to die off,” agrees Anna Marshalls, “Therefore, grass should be watered in the cooler times and only once a week. When watering grass, be sure to water deeply to ensure there is enough water to survive a drought.” If you’re looking to upgrade your lawn, learn how to plant sod to keep your lawn year-round over upgrade.
4. Cut grass too short
We all want a clean and tidy lawn, but mowing the lawn too short can actually damage the grass. As a result, the root systems become too shallow and cannot absorb all essential nutrients. Experts suggest trimming your lawn to 2 ½ to 3 inches to allow a healthy height to thrive. Also, always make sure your mower has sharp blades, as dull blades tear the grass instead of cutting it, which not only looks messy but can damage the grass.
5. Not watering plants properly
Similar to overwatering grass in summer, plants should only be watered once a day during the cooler periods. “A natural instinct during a heat wave is to water plants multiple times a day,” advises Anna Marshalls“Instead, the plants should be watered with a watering can once a day in the morning or evening during the cooler months.”
6. Using too much fertilizer
Another common lawn care mistake is piling up fertilizer, especially when the grass is brown. In fact, excess fertilizer is only washed away in the rain, which ends up being expensive and damaging to plants. Always follow the directions on the sachet and only apply the recommended amount (and no more!). Also, avoid using powdered or granular fertilizer just before you shower, otherwise it will run off in the rainwater.
7. Do not clear clumps of grass on the lawn after mowing
Not all lawn mowers catch every trail of grass clippings, so always remove clumps of clippings. If left on the lawn, it blocks sunlight on your grass, causing stalks to die or leaves to yellow. Once dry, simply remove cuttings with a quality rake like this Garden Rake Heavy Duty Bow Rake ($37, Amazon (opens in new tab)) to achieve a flawless lawn.
More lawn care tips
- Remove weeds, thatch and moss. To learn How to get rid of dandelions without ruining your lawn
- Aerate the soil to allow better penetration of air and water to the root of the blade of grass
- Mow your lawn regularly. Experts advise at least once a week in summer and every two weeks in spring, autumn and in warm winters
- Make sure your lawn has good drainage to avoid waterlogging
You can find more planting tips, tricks and instructions in our guides how to plant sunflower seeds and when to do it, how to plant potatoes and how to grow tomatoes in pots. You’ll also want to read how to prune hydrangeas, how to care for an orchid, and how to care for air plants. If you are in the gardening tool market, take a look at the best garden shears.