If you have a lawn, you’re probably a bit of a lawn care enthusiast. You love your green patch of grass and want to keep it healthy and lush. But if you’re new to the game, then it can be hard to know which mistakes are going to make an impact on your grass’ health and which ones aren’t really important. So what are some common lawn care mistakes that don’t matter when it comes to getting the most out of your lawn? Check these tips from a professional lawn care company:
Overfertilizing
Fertilizer is a great way to keep your lawn looking its best, but if you use too much of it, it can actually harm your lawn. Overfertilizing can burn the grass and cause yellowing and brown spots. The best time to fertilize is in spring or fall when temperatures are cooler and soil moisture levels are appropriate for healthy root growth. The rule of thumb is one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet every year (or about 1/2 cup per 1/4 acre). You should only apply fertilizer when the ground is dry so that all nutrients are absorbed by the roots instead of washed away by rainwater before they reach their destination!
If you’re worried about overdoing things with fertilizer–or any other type of product–consider hiring an arborist who will help design an effective plan based on current conditions such as soil type or slope angle; these professionals know exactly which products work best in each situation so there’s no need for guesswork!
Not Mowing Often Enough
There are two common mistakes that can be made when it comes to mowing the lawn. The first is not mowing often enough, which causes a build-up of thatch and can lead to scalping. The second is mowing too frequently, which will cause your grass blades to be cut so short they don’t have enough time to grow back before you need to mow again.
Mowing frequency depends on the type of grass you have; warm-season grasses like Bermuda need less frequent cutting than cool-season varieties like bluegrass, fescue and ryegrass. In general though, here’s how often each type should be mowed:
- Bermuda – once every three weeks during summer months (April through September), then twice per month during fall/winter months (October through March).
- Bluegrass – weekly throughout spring/summer months (March through October), then biweekly until late December or early January when temperatures drop below freezing at night.* Fescue – 1″ tall after each passing shower before beginning the next cycle of growth.* Ryegrass – Once every seven days during spring/summer months (March through October)
Using the Wrong Type of Grass Seed or Fertilizer
Grass seed and fertilizer are not the same thing. Grass seed is what you put into the ground to make your lawn grow, while fertilizer is a plant nutrient that helps grass grow faster and stronger.
If you have just planted new sod, it may be best to wait at least two weeks before adding any fertilizer so that your roots can establish themselves in their new environment. If you’re adding mulch around existing plants, wait until springtime when new growth begins so that nutrients aren’t wasted on decomposing leaves or other organic matter already present on top of the soil surface (and potentially blocking sun from reaching young roots).
Not Using a Weed Killer
Many homeowners don’t realize that weed killers are an essential part of healthy lawn care. The right weed killer can help you prevent weeds from taking over your yard, and it’s important to use one regularly if you want a lush green lawn at all times of year.
There are many different types of weed killers available, but two basic categories: systemic and non-systemic (contact). Systemic chemicals enter the plant’s roots and kill them from within; non-systemic chemicals kill only what they touch directly on top or near the surface of soil. Contact herbicides need to be applied more frequently than systemic ones because they degrade quickly after being sprayed–usually within 48 hours in warmer climates like ours!
Conclusion
We hope this list of lawn care mistakes has been helpful. If you want to be sure that your lawn is healthy and beautiful, it’s important to avoid these common mistakes. Your yard will thank you for it!
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