It might be satisfying to keep your grass lush and green, but it’s simple to make mistakes that will undo all of your hard work. At MPS Utah, typical lawn care errors can result in problems such as uneven grass, weed growth, and unhealthy soil, even for well-meaning homeowners. We’ve listed the top five lawn care errors and tips on avoiding them to help you maintain the healthiest possible grass.

1. Cutting Grass Too Shortly
Too short of a mow is one of the most frequent mistakes when maintaining a lawn. Despite the perception that cutting the grass shorter will require fewer mows, doing so can harm your lawn. Overcutting grass weakens the plant and increases its susceptibility to weeds, pests, and diseases by reducing its capacity for photosynthetic energy.

How to Prevent It: Raise the mower blade setting to a higher level, usually between 2.5 and 3 inches. At this height, the grass may grow deep roots, which makes it more resilient to stresses like drought. Remember to mow your lawn frequently, but try not to cut off more than one-third of the blade at once.

Use this handy mowing guide to learn more about appropriate mowing procedures.

2. Submerged or Oversealed
Watering your grass is essential, but it’s simple to do it incorrectly. Drastic overwatering can result in shallow root growth, making grass susceptible to disease and drought. Conversely, underwatering can make your grass brittle and dry, resulting in brown areas and sluggish growth.

How to Prevent It: Water your grass frequently but deeply. Try to do so early in the morning. One inch of water should be applied each week, including from rainfall. This makes your lawn more robust and promotes the establishment of deep roots. Furthermore, pay attention to the kind of grass you have, as various kinds require different amounts of water.

Check out this guide on lawn watering for more information on how to water your lawn efficiently.

3. Not Considering Soil Health
Many people need to realize how crucial healthy soil is to keeping their lawn looking great. Sturdy soil is essential for robust grass growth. No matter how often you water or feed your grass, it will struggle to grow if the soil is compacted, deficient in nutrients, or has poor drainage.

How to Prevent It: Aerate your grass regularly to enhance water and air circulation and reduce soil compaction. Conduct a soil test to determine your soil’s pH and nutrient content. Based on the results, amend your soil with the proper fertilizers and soil conditioners to establish the perfect atmosphere for grass growth.

4. Incorrect Timing of Fertilization
Timing is crucial when fertilizing your lawn since it supplies vital nutrients that support strong growth. Fertilizers applied too soon can lead to waste, inadequate nutrient uptake, and even damage to grass.

How to Prevent It: Apply fertilizer to your grass during the height of the growth season. Fertilization is beneficial for warm-season grasses in late spring and early summer, while it is usually done for cool-season grasses in the spring and fall. Use a slow-release fertilizer to give your plants a consistent supply of nutrients throughout the year, and make sure you always apply fertilizer according to the manufacturer’s recommended amounts.

5. Ignoring Weed Management
Seeds can quickly take over a lawn if they are not adequately controlled. Ignoring weed control can result in an unhealthy, unattractive, and challenging to maintain lawn. Over time, weeds degrade your lawn by competing with grass for nutrients, water, and sunlight.

How to Prevent It: Use pre- and post-emergent herbicides as part of an aggressive weed control program. Post-emergent herbicides attack already-existing weeds, but pre-emergent herbicides stop weed seeds from sprouting. Additionally, driving out undesirable plants and maintaining a thick, healthy lawn with appropriate fertilization, watering, and mowing techniques can naturally inhibit the growth of weeds.

Get a Healthy Lawn Today 

Avoiding these typical lawn care errors can help you achieve the lush, green lawn you’ve always desired. You can prepare your lawn for success by mowing at the proper height, watering prudently, keeping the soil healthy, fertilizing as needed, and managing weeds.

At MPS Utah, we’re dedicated to assisting Salt Lake City and nearby homeowners maintain gorgeous, healthy lawns. We can help you whether you require expert lawn care services or just guidance on caring for your grass. Contact us right now to learn more about our offerings and how we can help you achieve the ideal lawn.