There are two kinds of homeowners: People with lush green lawns and those who envy them. Caring for lawns is both an art and a science. It takes time to understand how to properly maintain a perfectly manicured lawn. In addition, local conditions can create unique problems with weed and pest control.
If you are frustrated by your lawn, here are five mistakes you could be making
1) Cutting Too Aggressively
If the grass is growing quickly, it may be tempting to cut it very short. However, removing more than the top 1/3 of the grass can damage the plants. Weakened grass can lead to browning tips, and weed infestation.
Grass varieties can have unique ideal heights. Kentucky Bluegrass should be maintained between 2.5 and 3.5 inches, while Fescue prefers 3 to 4 inches. Ask a lawn care specialist if you are unsure about the perfect height for your grass.
2) Watering Improperly or Not Enough
Always remember, you are watering the roots, not the green. Lawns in temperate climates need a thorough watering of about an inch of water per week. Grass in hotter climates can need that much water 2-3 times a week. Frequent but lighter sprays are not as helpful as a smaller number of complete waterings. The effectiveness of your watering routine can also depend on the type of soil. Clay soil can absorb water differently than rocky or sandy soil.
Watering is best done early in the morning before the sun can evaporate moisture. Don’t water until the ground under the grass is too muddy for the soil to hold the moisture in place.
3) Inefficient Fertilization
Fertilizing lawns can be a tricky business. The purpose is to get the best chemical composition within the soil. The cheapest or most popular fertilizers may not provide the specific nutrients your lawn needs. Soil composition can also change from year to year. Over or under fertilizing can be equally bad for your lawn. A lawn care specialist can perform a soil test to ensure the best mix of nutrients for your grass.
4) Lack of Aeration
Soil becomes compacted over time. Even if you are not frequently walking over your grass, your dirt can become very hard. Compact soil can make efficient watering and fertilization more difficult. Plants grow from the roots. Moisture and nutrients don’t reach the roots if they can’t filter through the hard soil. Roots can also grow more easily through soil that has been properly aerated.
5) Not Identifying Problems Correctly
If you are not a professional, it can be easy to misdiagnose problems. You could be wasting money on more fertilizer when your plants really need more water. The soil may be perfect, but you could have a pest problem. Forget the guesswork and get it right with a lawn care expert.
Get a Free Lawn Analysis at Big League Lawns
Caring for your lawn doesn’t have to be complicated. Knock it out of the park by contacting Big League Lawns for your free lawn analysis. We are a Utah lawn care company serving Weber and Davis counties. With more than 40 years of combined experience, we guarantee a homerun!
