Common Lawn Mowing Mistakes You Shouldn't Commit
Most of us learn how to take care of our properties from our friends, family members, and the internet.
But not every source of information will be entirely correct, accurate, or suitable for your situation.
Which is why many people make a lot of common mistakes when it comes to mowing their lawns. Curious about whether you’re guilty of these? Read on to find out.
You cut your lawn too short
If you’re going on holiday or loathe lawn mowing, it can be tempting to cut your lawns short. After all, if you cut them short, it’s a while before you’ll need to cut them again. While you might benefit from a more extended break between cutting sessions, you’re doing your grass a lot of harm.
Cutting your lawns below around 7-8cm can make your grass vulnerable to disease and insects. You’re also putting your lawnmower blades under a lot of stress, as well. The best thing you can do for your lawn is cut it a little and often, and you improve your chances of a healthy, lush lawn.
Suppose you’re still not interested in cutting your lawns regularly. In that case, there’s always the option of a lawn care service provider who can do it for you.
You’re overwatering
If your lawn is your pride and joy, you may spend a lot of time with a hose or watering can, giving it a long, deep drink. However, like most things in life, you can have too much of a good thing. An overwatered lawn can often be a diseased and damaged lawn.
You may think that keeping your lawn thoroughly hydrated is in its best interests, but it isn’t. A healthy patch of grass is one that receives deep and infrequent watering so that it grows longer roots in search of water. If it can always access water near the surface, it’s more likely to have a shallow root structure. Then, if you fail to water your lawn as frequently as you usually do, it’s less likely to thrive.
You didn’t test your soil
You may think you know all the lawn care tips you need to know, but how much thought have you put into soil testing? Given that your grass seems to be just fine, it may not cross your mind. But maybe it should.
The better your soil health, the better your grass health, promoting a more beneficial lawn mowing experience. You can purchase DIY soil testing kits, which allow you to find out your soil’s pH level.
Your lawn will measure on the pH scale between 0 and 14. Below 7, and your soil is acidic. Above 7, and it’s alkaline. Your goal should be to keep your soil’s pH level in the middle. If you find that it’s too acidic (or at six or below), you can add crushed lime to your soil. If it’s too alkaline, you can balance it out by adding peat moss or even sulphur.
It’s worth retesting your lawn annually in spring so that you can make adjustments accordingly and keep your property in tip-top shape.
You didn’t sharpen your lawnmower blades
Have you noticed that your lawns look hacked rather than cut? Or what about brown and yellow jagged edges? When you mow your lawns with dull blades, your grass is more likely to be ripped out rather than sliced cleanly.
Regardless of whether you have a ride-on lawnmower or a walk-behind mower, it’s crucial to sharpen your blades regularly. There is plenty of helpful tutorials online for how to sharpen mower blades. Alternatively, you can take your lawn equipment to a specialist who can take care of it for you.
You didn’t get rid of thatch
When you haul your lawnmower out of storage, all your thoughts are on making sure it has enough fuel and whether the blades are sharp enough. You may not be thinking about thatch and the implications it can have for your lawn.
Thatch is a layer of organic matter that forms on your lawn. It consists of lawn clippings, leaves, roots, stems, and other materials that can become quite top-heavy on your grass. A little bit of thatch can provide your lawn with much-needed nutrients. However, more than half an inch and your grass may struggle to soak up water, nutrients, and sunshine.
So, before your lawnmower roars to life, do a quick inspection of your lawn. How’s the thatch looking? If it’s thicker than you expected, consider hiring a dethatching machine or renting a power rake. You can then mow with far more confidence.
You didn’t rely on the experts when you actually needed help
It’s okay to admit you need help. When your backyard looks more like a jungle than a lawn, it’s essential to seek help. You may not have the experience or know-how to tackle your grass, but someone who provides lawn care services for a living does.
Why not get in touch with a lawn mowing company that can make a dramatic difference to your lawn? You then don’t need to worry about making any more common lawn mowing mistakes.
