‘Worst mistake’ to never do when mowing your lawn, warns expert – ‘recipe for disaster’

Achieving that perfect emerald green lawn that’s the envy of the neighborhood is a goal for many garden enthusiasts. However, maintaining such a lawn requires more than just sporadic mowing and watering.

Many homeowners inadvertently damage their lawns by making common mistakes. So, what are some typical lawn care errors to avoid in order to maintain healthy grass?

Gardening guru Oliver Johnson from HomeAdviceGuide.com has outlined some frequent blunders made by lawn owners and provided advice on how to sidestep these pitfalls. Oliver also offers straightforward tips for lawn upkeep to ensure your grass stays in top condition, reports the Express.

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Overwatering your lawn

According to the gardening expert, while water is vital for lawn health, overdoing it can be “disastrous”. Excessive watering can lead to waterlogged soil, which hinders root growth. If the weather has been wet, additional watering may not be necessary.

In contrast, during periods of dry weather, we aim to provide about an inch of water per week, ensuring your lawn is sufficiently moist without being submerged.

Cutting the lawn too short

Oliver cautions that mowing your lawn too short is a “recipe for disaster”. It might seem like a time-saving measure to cut it low, but doing so “stresses the grass” and leaves it susceptible to diseases, drought, and pests.

Chris Bonnett, the founder of Gardening Express, has highlighted that one of the “worst mistakes you can make” with long grass is to mow it too short, as this can “damage the roots, encourage weeds and damage lawnmowers”.

He advises aiming for a height of around three inches to ensure the grass retains its top growth, which keeps it strong and resilient.

When it comes to fertilising, balance is key. Using the wrong fertilizer or applying an incorrect amount can “cause damage” and be “detrimental”, according to Oliver.

Moreover, regular lawn aeration is deemed “crucial” for gardeners seeking “healthy growth”. Aeration, the process of allowing water and nutrients to better penetrate the soil, is particularly vital for compacted or clay-heavy soils.

This task can be performed by poking holes in the surface with a manual aerator or even a garden fork.

According to Chris Bonnett, founder of Gardening Express, when you have long grass, the “worst mistake you can make” is to mow the lawn too short as it will “damage the roots, encourage weeds and damage lawnmowers”.

As a general rule, aim for a height of around three inches. This allows the grass to retain its top growth, staying strong and resilient.

Fertilizing wrong

Fertilizing can be a great way to keep your lawn healthy, but it’s important to have balance. Using the wrong fertilizer for your grass can “cause damage”, and applying too much or too little can be “detrimental”, claimed Oliver.