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 make is mowing it too low, resulting in the sun directly "seeing" its roots. This weakens and dehydrates the grass, making it more susceptible to weeds and diseases.

What should you do?

• Cut the lawn so that its height reaches 5-7 centimeters after mowing.
• Mow regularly, especially during periods when it grows at a faster rate (spring and summer, that is). 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's wet, the lawnmower can get stuck. So avoid watering just before mowing, but immediately after.
• Try to mow in a different direction each time. This way, you will avoid it taking on a specific slope overall and it will look fuller and more "lively".

SkroutzTip: In summer, when the temperature is high and the sun "burns," you can leave the lawn a bit taller (7-9 centimeters) to protect it from heat and drought.

2. You water it with the wrong frequency

As with other plants, overwatering or underwatering can lead to poor growth - the creation and growth of weeds or drought, respectively. So, try to maintain a balance in your lawn's watering routine. As a general rule, it is much better to water your lawn less frequently 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 ground. 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 too long and causing fungal growth (afternoon/evening), but also not evaporating directly (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 the summer, when temperatures are high, water more frequently (for example, every other day), while in the winter, when it rains a lot, consider that your lawn receives a satisfactory amount of water from the rain.

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

3. You are not aerating it properly

Aeration is an important part of lawn care and should not be overlooked. Failing to do so will lead to soil compaction and low absorption of water and nutrients. It is a process that does not need to be done very often. Usually, 1-2 times a year, depending on the soil, is sufficient. 

But how do you aerate the lawn?

The steps are simple.

• Water before aeration. If the soil is very dry, ideally water it one day before aeration; otherwise, we want the soil to be just wet, but not muddy.
• Create small holes in the soil with the help of a lawn aerator, to facilitate the penetration of air and consequently water and nutrients that the lawn needs.
• Proceed with fertilizing the soil and if necessary plant new seeds. The period after aeration is ideal for nutrient absorption and the growth of new lawn.
• Water after aeration. Water again after aeration to help the soil absorb the moisture it needs.

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

4. You are not fertilizing correctly

Another common mistake is lawn fertilization. The use of poor-quality fertilizer and excessive or incorrect application can dry out or even burn the lawn. While you use the fertilizer as food for your lawn to provide it with all the nutrients it needs, you may end up with opposite results.

How to avoid improper fertilizer use?

• Calculate the amount of fertilizer you will need based on the area of the lawn. Indicatively, for an area of 100m², you will need about 4-5kg of fertilizer.
• Use natural fertilizer, such as manure or compost, which consists of organic materials. It is a more environmentally friendly fertilizer and improves the soil structure naturally, but it works more long-term.
• Choose the appropriate type of fertilizer based on the season. For example, during spring fertilization, 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, choose a milder fertilizer rich in potassium, which helps with resilience and drought resistance. In autumn, it is good to do the last fertilization of the year, using a fertilizer with phosphorus to enhance root growth before winter, when the lawn does not need fertilizer as it stops growing.
• Water after fertilization. It is very important to water your lawn immediately after applying fertilizer to help it absorb all the nutrients and 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!