Common Lawn Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid
Lawn maintenance plays a big role in keeping your outdoor space green, clean, and healthy. But sometimes, the most common lawn care habits can actually do more harm than good. Avoiding simple errors can make a major difference in your lawn’s appearance and long-term health.
Overwatering Hurts More Than Helps
Many homeowners think lawns need to be watered daily. In reality, too much water leads to fungus, shallow roots, and wasted resources. Proper lawn maintenance means watering deeply but infrequently.
Instead, water your lawn about 1 to 1.5 inches per week, ideally in the early morning. This allows the roots to grow deeper and makes your lawn more drought-resistant.
Cutting the Grass Too Short
A major lawn maintenance mistake is mowing the grass too low, also called “scalping.” This can weaken the root system and make your lawn more vulnerable to weeds and sun damage.
Always follow the one-third rule: never cut off more than one-third of the grass height at a time. Taller grass helps shade the soil, keeps moisture in, and blocks weed growth naturally.
Skipping Fertilization or Using It Incorrectly
Your lawn needs nutrients to grow strong and stay green. But fertilizing at the wrong time or using too much can burn the grass or lead to excessive growth that’s hard to manage.
Follow a schedule based on your grass type:
- Cool-season grass: Fertilize in early spring and again in fall.
- Warm-season grass: Fertilize from late spring through summer.
Use the right product and read the label carefully. Always water after applying fertilizer to help it soak in and prevent damage.
Dull Mower Blades Can Damage Your Lawn
Another overlooked lawn maintenance issue is using dull mower blades. Dull blades tear the grass rather than cutting it cleanly, leading to brown tips and increased disease risk.
Sharpen your mower blades every 20–25 hours of use to keep your lawn looking neat and healthy.
Not Adjusting Lawn Maintenance by Season
Your lawn needs different care depending on the season. Ignoring this can leave it patchy, dry, or weed-infested.
Here’s a seasonal lawn care guide:
- Spring: Aerate, dethatch, and fertilize.
- Summer: Mow higher, water deeply, and avoid over-fertilizing.
- Fall: Overseed bare spots, remove leaves, and apply pre-winter fertilizer.
- Winter: Limit foot traffic and prep equipment for spring.
Keep Your Lawn Healthy with Proper Lawn Maintenance
Avoiding these lawn maintenance mistakes will help your yard stay green, strong, and easy to manage. The right habits today can prevent costly repairs and long-term damage.
Looking for expert help? Contact us to book a lawn maintenance service and let our experienced team care for your yard with precision and attention to detail. Want more seasonal lawn tips and maintenance ideas? Visit our CBS Tree Service & Landscaping Maintenance blog page to learn how to keep your lawn thriving and beautiful all year long.