Avoid These 8 Common Lawn Mistakes in 2023
Who doesn’t start the new year with the best of intentions? Whatever you’ve resolved to do in 2023 make sure you make a commitment to looking after your lawn. Start by checking out our list of the 8 most common lawncare mistakes, and pledge to avoid them this year and every year.
1. Cutting your grass too short
It seems like a great way to reduce how often you need to mow your lawn, just cut it shorter. However, cutting the lawn too short is the number one mistake that people make.
When you cut the grass too short you can stress the grass, which makes it more susceptible to lawn diseases and pests. As a rule, your grass shouldn’t be cut shorter than 3 inches (about 8cm). So, before you cut the grass, check your mower isn’t set too low.
2. Mowing with blunt blades
While we’re on the subject of mowing your lawn, check your blades are sharp before you mow. Mowing with blunt blades will rip the grass rather than cutting it cleanly. This damages the grass, and again makes it more likely that it will succumb to lawn diseases.
The new year is an excellent time to get your mower blades sharpen before the mowing season starts.
3. The wrong fertiliser
You know you should regularly fertilise your lawn for healthy grass, but using the wrong fertiliser at the wrong time can do more harm than good. You can also damage your lawn by using too much fertiliser, even if it is the right one.
Before using any fertiliser you should be absolutely certain that is right for your lawn, any lawn problems and the time of year. Even better, speak to All Green Lawn Treatments about our year-round treatment programme.
4. Failing to aerate
Far too many homeowners never bother to aerate their lawns. This can lead to compacted, heavy soil and waterlogged lawns, particularly in that area around Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire where there is a tendency for the soil to be predominately clay.
Aeration can be done simply with a garden fork, but for a thorough aeration get a professional in.
5. Walking on frozen grass
If you’ve had an overnight frost you should avoid walking on the grass while it is still frozen. In very cold conditions grass becomes brittle and will break if walked on.
More generally you should avoid walking repeatedly across just one area of your lawn as, whatever the weather, heavy traffic will eventually cause damage. It’s far better to lay a path along any route that you use regularly, for example to a shed or back gate.
6. Leaving leaves
We all know what it’s like. Leaves fall from the trees during the autumn and early winter when the last thing you fancy doing is getting out in the garden. You should make the effort though if leaves are gathering on your lawn.
Fallen leaves on your lawn can prevent sunlight and nutrients getting to your grass, as well as encouraging pests. Leaves can be gathered up and used to make compost or leaf mulch.
7. Overwatering
Although we’ve had a series of hotter, drier summers lawns can still be overwatered. Many lawns can survive quite well even in drier weather and overwatering can be as damaging to grass as drought. The amount of water your lawn will need depends on a number of factors including the weather, the type of soil and what grass has been used for the lawn. Speak to your lawncare professional if you are unsure about whether or how often to water your lawn.
8. Trying to do it all yourself
Sometimes you just need to talk to a lawncare expert. All Green Lawn Treatments offers a range of year-roundtreatments to make sure your lawn is always looking its best. With no contracts and a free lawn analysis it’s never been easier to get professional help for your lawn.Contact us today and start the year as you mean to continue.