Do you have a garden with lawn? 

Have you perhaps made any of the following mistakes? 

Let's see what you can do to avoid them next time!

1. You’re Mowing It the Wrong Way

One of the most common mistakes people with lawns in their garden make is cutting them too short, causing the sun to "see" the roots directly. This weakens the grass and causes dehydration, making it more prone to weeds and diseases.

What should you do?

• Cut the lawn so that it reaches 5-7 centimeters in height after mowing.
• Mow regularly, especially during the periods when it grows faster (spring and summer). Once a week is ideal.
• Remember as a general rule that if you follow the above steps, you will need to cut about 1/3 of its height each time.
• Mow the lawn and then water it. When it is wet, the lawn mower may get stuck. So avoid watering right before mowing, but do it immediately after.
• Try to mow your lawn in a different direction each time. This way, you will avoid it developing a single overall lean and it will look fuller and more "vibrant".

SkroutzTip: In summer, when temperatures are high and the sun is "burning," you can leave the lawn a little taller (7-9 centimeters) so it is protected from heat and drought.

2. You are watering it at the wrong frequency

As with all other plants, overwatering or underwatering can lead to poor growth - weed growth and development or drought, respectively. So try to keep a balance in your lawn watering routine. As a general rule, it is much better to water your lawn less often, but deeply, rather than more often and superficially. What does this mean in practice? A watering is considered sufficient when it reaches about 15-20 centimeters below the soil. In this way, the lawn becomes more resilient. 

Remember:

• The best time to water the lawn is early in the morning (6-9 a.m.), so it has time to absorb the water without staying wet for too long and causing fungal growth (afternoon/evening), but also without evaporating immediately (noon).
• If you water for about 20-30 minutes each time, you will reach the desired water levels that your lawn needs to receive with each watering.
• Depending on the season and the prevailing temperature, you should adjust the watering frequency. In summer, when temperatures are high, water more often (for example, every other day), while in winter, when it rains a lot, take into account that your lawn gets a satisfactory amount of water from the rain.

SkroutzTip: Use automatic watering to ensure that the lawn is watered evenly. This way you will be able to control the watering time and the amount of water.

3. You’re not aerating it properly

Aeration is an important part of lawn care and you shouldn’t skip it. Doing so will lead to soil compaction and low absorption of water and nutrients. It’s a process you don’t need to do very often. Usually 1-2 times a year, depending on the soil, is enough. 

But how do you aerate the lawn?

The steps are simple.

• Water before aerating. If the soil is very dry, ideally water it one day before aerating; otherwise, we want the soil to be just wet, but by no means muddy.
• Create small holes in the soil with the help of a lawn aerator, so as to facilitate the penetration of air and, consequently, water and nutrients that the lawn needs.
• Proceed with fertilizing the soil and, if needed, plant new seeds. The period after aeration is ideal for absorbing nutrients and for the growth of new lawn.
• Water after aerating. Water again after aerating, to help the soil absorb the moisture it needs.

SkroutzTip: The ideal time to aerate the lawn is when its growth begins (spring or autumn), when it is more active and can adapt to the change. During periods with extreme temperatures (summer, winter), it is more likely to "go into shock" from the sudden change.

4. You are not fertilizing properly

Another common mistake is fertilizing the lawn. Using low-quality fertilizer and applying it excessively or incorrectly can dry out or even burn the lawn. While you use fertilizer as food for your lawn, to provide it with all the nutrients it needs, you may end up with the opposite results.

How can you avoid improper fertilizer use?

• Calculate the amount of fertilizer you will need, depending on the size of the lawn. As an indication, for an area of 100m² you will need approximately 4-5kg of fertilizer.
• Use natural fertilizer, such as manure or compost, which is made of organic materials. It is a more environmentally and soil-friendly fertilizer, improving the soil structure naturally, but it works over a longer period.
• Choose the right type of fertilizer based on the season. For example, when fertilizing in spring, prefer a fertilizer with more nitrogen, which helps the lawn grow, gives it a more vibrant green color, and makes it look denser. In summer, prefer a milder fertilizer rich in potassium, which helps with resilience and coping with drought. While in autumn it is good to do the last fertilization of the year, using a fertilizer with phosphorus, to strengthen root growth before winter, when the lawn does not need fertilizer, since it stops growing.
• Water after fertilizing. It is very important to water your lawn immediately after applying fertilizer, to help it absorb all the nutrients, and also to prevent possible burning, which can be caused especially by the use of chemical fertilizers.

5. You Are Using Inappropriate Equipment

Taking care of your lawn "goes hand in hand" with the cleaning and maintenance of the equipment you use. Using inappropriate equipment can negatively affect both the health and appearance of the lawn, and even cause damage that will be difficult to repair or will take much longer.

What can you do?

• Choose the right type of mowing machine. Avoid choosing a very heavy machine that can compact the soil and hinder the growth of the lawn. On the other hand, ensure your machine has sufficient power for the size of the lawn, as too little power will lead to uneven mowing and may potentially damage it.
• Make sure the blades of the lawn mower are well sharpened. Otherwise, the cutting will not be done properly, and the lawn will be pulled and develop wounds, which can lead to diseases and/or drought. Therefore, sharpen once every season change to ensure the best possible results.
• Adjust the lawn mower so that you cut the lawn at the correct height. Be careful when purchasing to choose a machine that cuts at the minimum and maximum height you want.
• Maintain your equipment frequently. Clean the tools after each use, store them in a place with suitable conditions (not too hot/dusty), and replace worn parts of the equipment.

Avoid these common mistakes and watch your lawn come back to life!