20 Things You Should Never Do To Your Lawn This Year
It's that time of year: the days are longer, the weather's warmer, and that feral front lawn is going to need attention before too long. There's way more to lawn care than just mowing it every so often, and there are most definitely right ways and wrong ways to go about this.
Fear not: while proper lawn care might seem a daunting proposition, it isn't as hard as it seems. Sometimes, the best place to start is to understand what not to do.
Don't cut it too short.
Lawnmowing can be hard work, especially if you have a big lawn. It might be tempting to cut your grass as short as possible in order to cut down on how often you have to do this chore, but scalping your grass does your lawn a disservice.
As a rule of thumb, try not to cut more than the top third of your lawn. Longer blades of grass means longer roots, and longer roots make for a healthier lawn overall.
Don't let those lawnmower blades get dull.
Many of us put our lawnmower away at the end of fall, then take it out again in early spring, all without thinking much of maintenance. But even a consumer lawnmower is a heavy, powerful piece of machinery that needs service in order to run effectively.
First and foremost, the mower blades should be sharpened every year in order to ensure the best cut. There are plenty of tutorials for doing this yourself, and it's also something that can be done by a maintenance shop.
Don't avoid the thatch issue.
It's always worth thinking about what's going on below the surface of your lawn, from the root system upwards. Right around the surface of your lawn, there's often a layer of thatch - essentially a clump of decomposing organic material.
A little bit of thatch is fine, but if you cut out a square of lawn and see more than three-quarters of an inch of thatch, it's time to start thinking about de-thatching. Too much thatch inhibits growth and leads to an unhealthy lawn.
Don't use too much fertilizer.
Fertilizer comes in big bags and it's good for your lawn - so might as well just dump as much of it as possible on your lawn, right? Wrong. So wrong. Fertilizer isn't meant to be used this way.
The issue is that fertilizer is made of various compounds, including salts. Grass needs a certain amount of salt to grow, but too much will burn it or kill it entirely. It's kind of how it is with people: we need salt to live, but too much can be detrimental.
Don't over-mow.
Lawns shouldn't be cut too short, but what's the best way forward when they've gotten too long? Best practice advice is to not take away too much grass, too quickly, because it will stress the lawn.
If you need to take off some significant length, do it in stages. First, take off the top inch or two, then wait a day before mowing down lower. By taking your time, you'll get to the target length without causing your lawn too much undue stress.
Don't waste fallen leaves.
The traditional way of dealing with fallen leaves is to rake them, bag them, and get rid of them. While a thick layer of fallen leaves can choke a lawn, that doesn't mean that they all need to be removed.
The best solution is incredibly simple: just mow over those leaves a few times to dice up the leaves and create mulch. It'll be good for your lawn, and you may find that your lawnmower even has a mulch setting.
Don't cut a wet lawn.
Grass grows faster after a good rainfall, but that doesn't mean that you should mow the lawn faster after it rains. In fact, you should give it some time to thoroughly dry before breaking out the lawnmower.
The reason? Wet grass is just not easy to deal with. It clumps together and gets weighted down, meaning that you're going to see an uneven, inconsistent cut. It's also worse for your lawnmower to cut the grass when it's wet.
Don't ignore pH levels.
Pop quiz: what are the approximate pH levels of your lawn right now? No worries if you don't know, but this is one of those things that you really need to understand if you care about your lawn.
A simple kit from the garden center will give you everything you need to assess nutrient and pH levels. Armed with this knowledge, you can make an informed decision when shopping for specific fertilizers and other lawn care products.
Don't over-water.
Lawn care seems simple: cut the grass when it's too long, and give it some water when it's too brown. While it's true that your lawn could benefit from some watering during dry spells, it's also true that a little goes a long way.
Some experts would argue that lawns don't need any watering, and that the water they get from rainfall is plenty of hydration. Even if you don't adhere to this view, it's safe to say that over-watering can effectively drown your lawn.
Don't guess when it comes to optimal moisture.
We all know that lawns need water, but how can we measure how much the grass actually needs? Fortunately, there's a great method that can help you dial in how much moisture your lawn is going to need.
When things are dry, give an area a good watering using a sprinkler. After half an hour, push a shovel into the lawn to see how deep the wetness extends. Ideally, you want the water going 3 to 4 inches into the soil.
Don't water at night or in bright sunlight.
Morning dew is a natural indicator of when your lawn wants to be watered: early in the morning. This is because it gives the grass a chance to absorb the moisture, whereas watering in the middle of the day leads to a lot of evaporated, wasted water.
Also, watering at night is never a good idea, either. Because there's less light and warmth, the water on the lawn actually lingers for too long, which can create fungus and disease.
Don't poison your lawn.
Poisons and noxious chemicals can be used to address various issues around your property, from gardening issues to pest problems. But it's always worth asking yourself if you really want to be living in the midst of so much bad stuff.
Weed-killing poisons tend to kill not just weeds, but also other plants and microorganisms that are actually beneficial to the health and beauty of a lawn. Earthworms, for instance, are great for lawn health - and needless to say, they don't like being poisoned.
Don't leave stuff on your lawn.
Experience tells us that leaving stuff on the lawn blocks the sun's rays from hitting the grass, slowly killing the grass and leading to bald spots. It's an intuitive thing to understand, but one that we should all be more mindful of.
If you want to avoid these bald spots while keeping stuff on your lawn - for instance, a collection of chairs - just make sure to move them around frequently so no areas are getting deprived of sunlight for too long.
Don't bag up those grass clippings.
Lots of lawnmowers have a self-bagging system to contain grass clippings. Even if they don't, some homeowners meticulously rake up and bag the clippings after mowing to keep the lawn looking more tidy.
Here's a piece of advice that's practical and saves unnecessary effort: just leave the clippings where they fall. The cut-up grass is going to help the grass that's still growing, and those messy clippings piles won't even be noticeable within a couple of days.
Don't stress about mushrooms.
Mushrooms might occasionally pop up on your lawn, ruining an otherwise unbroken field of green grass. Aesthetically, it might not be the most pleasing thing, but mushrooms actually help the lawn by breaking down decaying materials and turning them into nutrients.
The fungi that creates mushrooms lives deep under your lawn, so you're not likely to get rid of the source in any event. If you don't like how they look, you can just lop off the heads using your lawnmower.
Don't mow at the wrong time.
Because life gets in the way, it isn't always going to be possible to mow at the optimal time for your lawn. But that doesn't mean that you can't at least try, because time of day really matters when it comes to cutting your grass.
Mowing too early in the day, before the dew has dried, comes with the wet grass problem. Mowing in the middle of the day can strip your lawn during the hottest, driest time of day. In general, it's best to wait until late afternoon or early evening.
Don't use salt.
Those who live in snowy and icy climates may use salt in the winter months as a cheap and effective way to melt away the slippery stuff. Salt can be helpful, yes, but it can also create big problems.
Unfortunately, that salt doesn't go away once it melts the ice. It just dissolves and runs off into the surrounding areas - including your lawn. It's a good bet that your lawn isn't going to be healthy if it's fed with a steady diet of saltwater.
Don't water with a hose.
It can be relaxing, and even zen, to gently mist your lawn with water from the hose. But unless you're extremely meticulous with when and where you're watering, you're probably doing it all wrong.
This method of watering makes it really hard to ensure that the whole lawn receives proper hydration, and also leads to certain areas being over- or under-watered. At the end of the day, there's a reason that sprinklers exist: they autonomously cover an area with a consistent amount of water.
Don't aerate (in the spring).
Aerating helps soil become less compacted, giving grass roots easier access to nutrients and air. But aerating too early in the year is not always the best way to care for your lawn, because spring aeration can lead to dry soil.
It's best to wait until later in the year, even into fall, before aerating your lawn. Alternatively, you can try aerating in the spring, so long as you're prepared to give your lawn plenty of water so it can stay hydrated.
Don't assume all grass is the same.
If you're re-seeding or buying turf, you'll see the best results if you tailor things to the individual parts of your lawn. Most lawns have areas that receive unobstructed sunlight all day, along with shady areas that hardly see any sunlight.
It's worth researching grass types to see what will thrive in these shady areas. Various fescues are good, or you can ask the experts at your garden center if they have any seed blends formulated for shady spots.
Don't ignore soil testing.
DNA and genetics testing has become all the rage in recent years, with a small sample revealing all sorts of information about not just a person's genealogy, but also their genetic predisposition towards certain traits.
If you want similar insights into your lawn, get your soil tested. This can give some great insights on nutrient levels so you can make informed decisions going forward about how to give it the best, personalized care you possibly can.
Don't neglect the signs of lawn disease.
The nice thing about grass is that it tends to grow regardless of how well (or poorly) it's treated. But don't let this make you complacent, as even a seemingly healthy green lawn can be full of problems.
There are various disease and types of fungus that can affect lawns, and it's worth reading into some of the most common types. Discoloration, weird growths, slimy film, or the appearance of reddish or pinkish "threads" or "strings" are all telltale signs that your lawn needs attention.
Keep those weeds from taking over.
Weeds tend to grow, well, like weeds. This means that they've evolved to choke out other species and thrive, regardless of the circumstances. If you don't want this au naturel look for your lawn, you'll want to be proactive about weed removal.
This of course feeds into the larger conversation surrounding appropriate methods for weed removal, including herbicides and professional help. In any event, it's easier to handle weeds in the early stages, rather than after they've taken over your lawn.
Don't skip pre-emergent herbicides in the spring.
Pre-emergent herbicides are a great way to set up your lawn for success early in the year. Unlike traditional herbicides, they need to be applied under very specific circumstances, and only at certain times of year.
You'll want to research the best pre-emergent for your specific lawncare goals, but regardless of the type, make sure to apply it to your lawn before the ground temperature reaches 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, when the weather cools again in the fall, they can be applied once more.
Make sure you're mowing appropriately for the season.
Don't fall into the trap of setting your lawnmower blades at the same length and mowing the same way every time. Different seasons require different tweaks to your lawnmower's settings if you want the best results.
In the spring, keep grass shorter to get rid of pesky winter debris, then go for taller grass during the summer months to shade the soil underneath. Then, when the weather gets chilly in the fall, cut the grass a medium height to keep frost at bay without exposing the lawn's roots.
Keep off the grass.
One of the joys of having a lawn is knowing that you have that expanse of soft, green grass to enjoy summertime activities. But if your lawn gets too much foot traffic, it won't stay green for long.
Try to strike a balance between enjoying your lawn with friends and family, and keeping it from becoming a footpath or thoroughfare. Just look at any public park to see what happens when grass gets walked on repetitively.
Don't ignore pest infestations.
Lawns, like anything in nature, can be a complex ecosystem that needs different kinds of life in order to thrive. But some of these lifeforms can actually cause damage to your lawn, and you probably want to get them removed.
If the turf of your lawn can easily be pulled up, you may have grubs. Other bugs like billbugs, chinch bugs, nematodes, mole crickets, mites, and leafhoppers can also create pain points in your quest for the perfect lawn.
If it's going to rain, skip those chemicals.
This one should go without saying, but it's best to be very careful if you're thinking of using chemicals before it rains. The reason is pretty straightforward: rain tends to wash stuff away, including anything that's been applied to your lawn.
This means that not only will the rain wash the chemicals off of your lawn, preventing them from doing their job in the intended space. There's also the knock-on effect of washing a bunch of chemicals into the street and into the sewers.
Keep tabs on your direction.
Most people who cut their grass probably have a set routine that they follow, which is understandable - that's how chores work. But if you want your lawn to grow straight and strong, it's best to mix things up a bit.
Because grass grows in the direction in which it's mowed, cutting it in the same direction each time creates an angle. Simply switching from clockwise to counterclockwise, or vice versa, will help make the individual blades of grass more resilient.
Pay attention to those edges.
This is largely an aesthetic choice, but a lawn with defined edges can really look sharp. It'll take work, of course - from using a trimmer for those tricky areas to potentially cutting off pieces of wayward turf.
There can be a practical aspect to this, too. If you have a cobblestone driveway or path next to your lawn, being diligent about edges can help keep the grass from getting underneath the stones and making them uneven.
Prepare the soil before seeding.
Grass seeding seems simple enough: just buy a bag of seeds, throw them on the soil, give it some water, and wait for the magic to happen, right? As it turns out, there's a bit more to it.
You're going to want to dig into the soil a bit to give the seeds somewhere to grow out of, and then use lawn tools to smooth out the surface and remove any big clumps that might get in the way.
Don't plant trees too close to your lawn.
Unless you're buying a mature tree, trees are deceptive when they're first planted. They start small and take years to reach their final form. This is all the more reason to be selective and careful when planting new trees close to your lawn.
One aspect of tree planting that can become a factor after a few years is roots. As trees take root, they'll expand underneath your lawn. Over time, this means that tree roots can take valuable nutrients away from the soil, thus affecting your lawn.
Dry lawn? Don't fertilize.
We know that fertilizing before it rains can cause the fertilizer to wash away, but that doesn't mean that you should apply fertilizer when your lawn is bone-dry, either. It's tricky, but important, to strike the right balance.
Fertilizing on a dry, hot day can shock your lawn, as the individual granules just stick to the dry lawn and soil with no way to blend in and reach the roots. You'll want to fertilize when your lawn is in that Goldilocks zone: not too dry and not too wet.
Water in short, frequent spurts.
Sprinklers are generally going to do the best job of watering your lawn, as they can be set up to cover a wider area more consistently. But whether you're using a sprinkler or a hose, it's a good idea to water in short spurts.
Giving your lawn too much water, all at the same time, is going to drown the grass and make it harder for it to thrive. Instead, water frequently - but in shorter bursts.
Don't ignore local watering restrictions.
This one isn't directly related to the health of your lawn, and will vary widely depending on where you live, but it's still an important thing to be mindful of for anybody who has a lawn.
Local watering restrictions, frustrating though they may be, are put in place for a reason. If you value ecology, or just being a good neighbor, you'll want to be aware of these. Even if these factors don't sway you, consider the fact that ignoring restrictions could set you up for a fine.
Make sure you're storing things safely.
The goal of lawncare is to have a rich, beautiful lawn, one that's so healthy and so lush that you just want to roll around on it. But getting there can require a lot of gross and noxious chemicals.
These chemicals have to be stored somewhere, of course, and that usually means a shed or garage. When you're storing them, make sure that they're in a place that can't be reached by kids or pets, and keep them in containers that won't leak or seep.
Don't overlook composting.
Lots of municipalities offer composting programs, and gardeners tend to take part in this practice regardless. Compost is like a superfood for various plants, and can work wonders for lawns as well.
A well-balanced compost blend applied to your lawn has the same effects of applying it to your garden: reintroducing a rich blend of minerals and nutrients, which in turn helps everything that it's applied to. The best times of year for applying compost to your lawn are early spring and late fall.
Get things ready for winter.
If you've spent all spring, summer and fall working on your lawn, it's heartbreaking to think that it'll turn brown and even get buried by snow during the winter months. By taking the right steps, though, you can ensure that your lawn will be healthier than ever come spring.
Before things get too cold, make sure to fertilize or even overseed damaged areas of the lawn, remove thatch and other debris, and cut your lawn at a medium height.
The right and wrong fertilizer types.
It's tempting to just go to your local garden center and pick out the fertilizers with the flashiest labels. But fertilizers come in all kinds of different types, and not all of them will be helpful for the demands of your specific lawn.
This requires some research, and ideally some soil testing, but putting some thought into the fertilizers that you buy will save a lot of headaches in the long run.
Don't ignore the professionals.
Growing the perfect lawn can be incredibly rewarding, and it's entirely possible to do this without any kind of professional help. That said, professionals are professional for a reason - they tend to know their stuff.
If lawncare ever gets overwhelming and confusing, or you're at a loss as to what you should do next, it's worth taking a step back and contacting a lawncare company. They can help solve your immediate concerns, and set you up for lawn success in the future.