How You Could Be Killing Your Grass

A great way to increase your home’s curb appeal is by having a nice green lawn. Luckily, you do not have to have a green thumb to turn that dream into a reality. However, there are a few common mistakes that many homeowners make when it comes to their lawns that could be causing more damage than good. To keep your lawn looking its best this summer, make sure you’re not guilty of these common lawn care mistakes.

The first common mistake that homeowners make with their lawn is cutting it too close. Depending on the type of grass that you have, this could be the reason your grass is getting too thin. Some people believe that if they cut their grass really short, they will not have to mow it as often. The downside of this logic is when grass is cut too short, it can either stunt the growth of the grass, or just kill it altogether.

Another factor that can contribute to your grass not doing well is if it is getting too much shade. If you have a lawn that is heavily shaded, it can be very challenging to get grass to grow there, no matter which type of grass you have. Instead of continuing the battle that you most likely are going to lose, you might want to consider turning that area into a landscape bed or another type of landscaping option.

Some homeowners also do not know what to look for in terms of when their grass is telling them it needs more water. When your grass starts to turn a lighter shade of green or if the blades are starting to wilt, it needs more water. Certain types of grass will require more water than others, so it is best to just pay attention to what your grass looks like and water it when it needs to be watered.

There are some lawns that have areas that are dying and there is not an obvious reason as to why this is happening. In these instances, you might have a certain type of fungus or insect that is causing the problem. Fungus problems tend to grow in a circular pattern, and will start to increase in size over time. Fungus can be controlled by utilizing a fungicide or another similar application. Insect damage does not tend to grow in a circular pattern like fungus does. Instead, it will most likely be a section of your grass that just looks thinner and not as healthy as the other areas on your lawn. You will need an insecticide application in order to control this problem.

The last mistake that homeowners make is buying fertilizer, herbicides and insecticides, but not utilizing them appropriately. Each application has very specific instructions for how to use them, but not all homeowners take the time to read the instructions thoroughly. If you use these applications incorrectly, you could be causing more harm than good.

When caring for your lawn, make sure you avoid these common mistakes so you can have a beautiful lawn.