The 3 Most Common Lawn Maintenance Mistakes Homeowners Make

A healthy lawn is beautiful to look at, but did you know it also offers tremendous benefits to the environment?

Erosion prevention, cooling of the local environment, and filtering of air and water are only some of the benefits offered by keeping your lawn properly cared for. That said, maintaining a healthy lawn takes more than just mowing and watering, there are many intricacies that go into making sure your lawn is at its best. Below we’ll look at the 3 most common mistakes Calgary homeowners make when it comes to lawn care.

1. Skipping the soil test

Before you even begin throwing seeds around, you need to know what kind of soil you’re dealing with. Grass thrives in soil with a pH of 6 to 6.5. Without the proper pH level, the growth of your grass will be stunted and become a source of frustration. Before you even begin seeding, call your local Calgary Lawn Maintenance specialists to have your soil tested and ensure you’re giving your new grass the best chance of survival. 

2. Choosing the wrong seed for the job

Once you’ve made sure you have the right soil for the job, the next ingredient needed is grass seed! Grass, like many other things in life, is not one size fits all! Knowing what type of grass thrives in your local climate is the key to choosing the right seeds for the job.

Planting a variety of seeds known to do well in your area will help ensure your lawn grows in thick and survives even the worst weather conditions. If you’re struggling with which seed to pick, a Calgary Lawn Maintenance company such as Lawn Lovers can help choose a seed that will give you the lawn of your dreams, and ensure it returns every year looking better than before.

3. Improper Lawn Maintenance

Proper lawn maintenance can make or break your lawn; proper soil and seeds are only half the battle. Ensuring you’re watering your lawn the right amount and at the right time, applying the right type and amount of fertilizer, and proper mowing techniques all work hand in hand to keep your lawn looking its best.

• Mowing – There are two important things to remember when it comes time to cut the grass – blade sharpness and height. Mower blades should be sharpened at the beginning of each season to ensure a clean cut and prevent the tearing of the blades of grass. The height of your mower should be set to approximately 2.5 inches, this helps ensure you don’t cut off more than ⅓ of the grass blade at a time. 

• Watering – Less is more! Overwatering your lawn discourages the grass from developing a deep root system required to take the water deeper into the soil. A good rule of thumb to remember when it comes to watering is a third of an inch three times a week.

• Fertilizing – When it comes to fertilizing your lawn, slow and steady wins the race! Choose a slow release fertilizer that can be applied less often, decreasing the chances of burning your lawn. The ideal times to apply fertilizer are late spring, late summer, and after the last mow of the year.

Your Calgary Lawn Care professionals at Lawn Lovers are just a call away and have 3 levels of lawn maintenance packages to choose from to help you get the most out of your lawn.