Many homeowners “unintentionally sabotage” their grassy havens with common mistakes. Gardening experts have shared some of the most common lawn mistakes to avoid and how to prevent them
Many gardeners dream of having a lawn that’s a vibrant emerald green, enough to make the neighbours green with envy. Surprisingly, maintaining such a lawn requires minimal effort, but it involves more than just occasional mowing and watering.
However, many homeowners unintentionally sabotage their grassy havens by making common mistakes. So, what are these common lawn blunders that you should avoid to keep your grass healthy? Gardening expert Oliver Johnson from HomeAdviceGuide.com has shared some of the most frequent lawn mistakes homeowners commit and how to avoid them.
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He also provides some simple lawn maintenance tips to ensure your lawn stays as healthy as possible, reports the Express.
Overwatering lawn
Overwatering is one of the main culprits. While water is essential for a healthy lawn, too much can be “disastrous”, warns the expert.
Overwatering can lead to waterlogging, which hampers root development. If the weather is wet, your lawn may not need any additional watering at all. But during dry spells, aim for roughly an inch of water per week to keep your lawn hydrated without drowning it.
Scalping the lawn
Another common mistake is scalping the lawn. Mowing your lawn too short is a “recipe for disaster”, warns Oliver.
While it might seem like a time-saver to keep it low, scalping “stresses the grass”, making it susceptible to disease, drought, and pests.
Chris Bonnett, the founder of Gardening Express, warns all green-thumbed enthusiasts that the “worst mistake you can make” with long grass is cutting it too short, which leads to damaging roots, encouraging weeds and harming lawnmowers.
For a lush lawn, aim for about three inches high to let it stay strong.
Fertilising wrong
When it comes to fertilising lawns, balance is key, but selecting inappropriate fertiliser can “cause damage”, while incorrect amounts could be “detrimental”, says expert Oliver.
And don’t forget about aerating your turf – an often overlooked but “crucial” task for promoting “healthy growth”.
Failing to aerate your lawn
Aeration helps water and nutrients to better penetrate the ground, and you can easily get the job done with a hand-held aerator or even a common garden fork, especially if you’re dealing with compact soil.
