This is the time of year when many people around the country are dealing with the doldrums of winter. This is also the time of year when we like to take time to review some of the more common lawn care mistakes. Think of it as a refresher course as we all wait for spring to arrive.
- Don’t over-fertilize. One of the first things you will likely do this spring is fertilize. But one of the more common mistakes we make is over-fertilizing our lawns. Too much fertilizer, or the wrong application of fertilizer, can damage your grass and leave it susceptible to lawn disease.
- Mowing too short. Your instinct might be to mow the lawn at an especially short height during that first mowing of the season. Do not follow that instinct. Mowing the grass too short can actually put the grass into shock. Grass that is cut too short may not be able to properly absorb sunshine. This also leaves the lawn vulnerable to disease. It can also allow weeds more space to grow and prosper. Leaving the grass at a more “normal” level when mowing will promote growth.
- Don’t overwater. When you break out your lawn sprinkler system this spring, remember the importance of regular watering. However, you do not want to give your lawn too much water. Once again, overwatering can raise the risk of lawn disease.
- Using dull mower blades. Dull blades tear at the grass, rather than delivering a clean cut.