14 Lawn Care Mistakes To Avoid If You Want Healthier Grass

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Who doesn't strive for perfection when it comes to caring for their grass? We like to think we all know the basics, but it turns out there are common lawn care mistakes we're probably all making that could be jeopardizing our efforts.

More than a mere patch of grass, the lawn is the heart of any garden and therefore needs to look its best to enhance the surrounding best plants and landscaping. 

But whoever said lawn care was easy? From mowing to sowing, scarifying to aerating lawns are high maintenance and require a lot of TLC throughout the seasons. Not to mention that there are easy lawn care mistakes to be made during every step of the process, which can compromise the appearance of the grass. 

Luckily we've spoken to horticultural experts who reveal the most common lawn care mistakes, from misjudging how often you mow your lawn to planting grass seed under the wrong conditions. 

Our team of gardening experts explains how to rectify or avoid the most common lawn care mistakes altogether.

1. Tending to core lawn care in the wrong conditions

With all lawn care being about timing this one can be the biggest mistake to make. Take for instance when to first cut grass after winter it's easy to assume that the first sign of sunshine in spring welcomes the perfect opportunity to mow the grass that has laid dormant during the winter months but it's not that simple. Same as with when to aerate or fertilize a lawn, the climate is more important than the date. 

"Getting the timing right is the key to keeping your lawn healthy and making sure that you are doing no unnecessary harm to it," says Chris McIlroy, a gardening expert at The Grass People. "As a rule of thumb, we recommend waiting until temperatures are consistently above 8 degrees before you think about mowing your lawn. When temperatures are below 8 degrees, your grass is typically in a state of dormancy, where it grows a very small amount, so slowly, it's almost unnoticeable."

The same goes for fertilizer, as Teri points out: "Fertilizer is best applied to a well-hydrated, actively growing lawn in the early morning or evening. Active growth depends on grass type. Cool-season lawns (like fescues, bluegrass, and ryegrass) begin actively growing when temps start hitting above 40-49 degrees F. Warm-season lawns begin growing when temps hold consistently above 60-69 degrees F."

2. Mowing too uniformly

No matter how often you mow your lawn it can actually be more about how you mow that can damage the blades of the grass. While most gardeners strive for a beautifully striped lawn it turns out the act of only moving in precise straight lines could be detrimental to the growth of healthy grass. 

"Varying your mowing pattern is good for your lawn over time as it means you're not repeatedly forcing the grass to bend in one particular direction," explains Carlos Real, a lawn care expert, and managing director at TotalLawn. 

"Instead, one week start at the top of your garden and finish at the bottom and alternate it the next time you mow. This will make the stripes look slightly different, and result in stronger and more resilient grass over time."

3. Cutting grass too short

As well as the direction of your mowing another mistake can be the height at which you cut. "When cutting your lawn, the most common mistake many people make is cutting the grass too short," says Gemma Vincent, product manager at lawn mower specialists Hayter. "We advise not to cut more than one 3rd off at a time as a good rule of thumb."

Explaining why this mistake proves so costly, Gemma explains: "Cutting your grass any shorter than this, and you'll be damaging it, leaving your lawn susceptible to pests, heat stress, and disease."

"Mowing too short ends up scalping the lawn and doing more harm than good," adds Peter Chaloner, an expert at lawnmower manufacturer Cobra. "Most lawnmowers have an adjustable height level that raises the blades from the grass to prevent scalping, which can stress the grass."

Cutting the grass too short can strip the lawn of essential moisture and cause it to dry out: "whereas a higher cut will help stimulate grass growth and encourage the blades to thicken over time," explains Peter.

4. Treating a stressed lawn

When grass is visibly 'stressed' it's best to avoid carrying out any form of gardening chore. It's best all around to give the grass time to recover, otherwise, you risk causing further trauma.

For example, don't try to feed or mow a scorched lawn. "Don't apply fertilizer to drought or heat-stressed lawns," says Teri Valenzuela, natural science manager at lawn care specialists Sunday. 

"If your lawn is experiencing heat or drought stress, lightly water the crown (the part just above the soil) to keep it alive, but don't fertilize, stop mowing, and stay off of it until it starts greening up again."

5. Watering at incorrect times of the day

A common mistake we probably all make is watering the lawn at the wrong or least ideal time of the day. There's the temptation to water the grass during intense sunshine to relieve the lawn of the heat or at the end of the day after the sun has set, but both are actually detrimental to growing healthy grass.

"The best time to water the lawn is in the early morning as this allows the grass to absorb the water throughout the day," explains Jay Betts, a grass expert at lawn care specialist LawnStarter.

"When watering in the middle of a hot day, a good portion of the water will evaporate before reaching the roots not giving the grass the necessary water it needs to grow. And while watering in the evening might seem like a sound idea, it's actually not advisable either as not having enough sunlight will allow the water to sit on the grass for too long which can lead to lawn diseases and fungus."

6. Over watering

In addition to knowing when to water it's important to know how much to water, because overwatering is another common lawn care mistake. 

"With watering the lawn at the right time of the day also comes watering the grass just enough which leads to one of the other most common mistakes, overwatering the lawn," says Jay. "Grass only needs about an inch of water per week."

"The easiest way to know how much water your lawn is getting is by installing a small rain gauge however if you don't want to do that, it's recommended you have one to two days of watering the lawn per week and again you want to do this in the morning."

7. Neglecting to fertilize when most needed

Feeding lawns can often be overlooked, with the assumption that water and sunlight are all a lawn needs – which can be true to a certain extent, but fertilizer delivers the extra nutrients your lawn needs for healthier grass. 

"In most lawns, soil can provide all, if not most of the nutrients (like nitrogen) that your grass needs to grow," says  Teri. "While ideally, your lawn has healthy soil and receives enough nutrients from the soil - that's not always the case. In these instances, or when you'd like to ensure sustained growth, fertilizing your lawn is a great supplemental addition to your lawn routine."

So how often should you fertilize your lawn? "It depends, but generally speaking 2-3 times per year depending on fertilizer preference and goals for your lawn," explains Teri. "If you use granular fertilizer, you may be limited to two applications per season. Whereas liquid fertilizer can be applied more frequently as it applies lower, targeted amounts of nutrients per application."

8. Applying fertilizer unevenly

It may sound obvious, but it's also far too easy to do and can result in patchy, unpleasing results. "Apply fertilizer uniformly across your lawn to ensure even distribution of nutrients and even growth," says Teri. 

"Missing a few spots here or there likely won't be noticeable, but you'll be able to recognize over time the areas that you might be missing completely."

9. Using weed killer

While a lawn full of weeds is not a welcome sight, nor too is a patchy lawn with dead patches caused by the application of weed killer.

"Avoid any fertilizer products that contain herbicide or 'weed killer'," says Teri. "These are traditionally called 'weed and feeds' and contain pesticides. Not only do these products require the user to spread pesticides across their lawn, they also can harm growing grass seed and beneficial insects, like pollinators."

Always check the product label to determine if you're applying a fertilizer with herbicide properties.

10. Scarifying wet grass

Experts are all in agreement on whether you can scarify a wet lawn, and the answer is a resounding no. While it's possible to do the job on wet grass the experts would never recommend it because you run a greater risk of pulling up the roots due to softer soil conditions. 

"It's best to dethatch (Scarify) the grass when the soil is moist – not wet and not dry,' says Barry Galvin, an expert at lawn care service provider Lawn Starter. "We recommend watering your lawn thoroughly 2 days before dethatching."

11. Aerating too frequently

While aerating a lawn is a good practice it is only necessary at very specific times and actually how often you should aerate a lawn is far less than people think.

"Whilst it may seem like a good idea to aerate as often as possible, it can do more harm than good to you and your lawn," explains Chris. "Generally, aeration is a good practice to carry out every once in a while to improve drainage and alleviate compaction, but it shouldn't become a regular practice in any garden."

"Try to confine spiking to compacted areas, and don't do this too often. When using a garden fork, only do this once a year," suggests Chris. "If using a hollow-tine aerator, cut this down further to once every three years."

Experts recommend aerating your lawn only once a year, typically in the fall or spring when the grass is actively growing.

Gently pricking the surface to aid with watering and fertilizing can be done a little more regularly but remember this method won't solve deep compaction issues.

12. Failing to rake away debris frequently enough

Leaving freshly cut grass remnants on top of the lawn straight after you mow is a good practice, according to experts, to reap the rewards of any lost nutrients that are still present in the discarded blades. However, what is not recommended by experts is to allow the dead matter to reside on the lawn for any length of time.

"Letting rotting leaves (and the like) build up on your lawn can actually damage the grass underneath," says Martin Seddon, development manager for Wilkinson Sword. "Keep your lawn free of debris by using a Lawn Rake."

"Also break up any thatch which may have accumulated on your lawn, by lightly raking across it. Concentrate on dead spots as your lawn starts to turn green again so that you can target areas that have been impacted by the cold of winter. In summer, don't make the mistake of heavily raking as you can damage the delicate roots."

13. Using lawns too soon after treating

Whether you're watering or feeding the grass there needs to be a rest period before you start using your lawn again – a big consideration if you're throwing a garden party or hosting a BBQ. 

Allowing time for water or fertilizer to settle in ensures the nutrients are fully absorbed, rather than disturbed at the surface level by walking across the grass.

"Avoid activity on your lawn until the fertilizer has dried or has been properly watered in to ensure the grass absorbs the fertilizer properly and fertilizer is uniformly distributed," says Teri.

14. Conforming to traditional expectations

And finally, one of the biggest mistakes we can all make in this day and age is to conform to the expectations. Who says the perfect lawn has to be a green, neat patch of grass, in fact, this year one of the biggest garden trends for 2023 is the idea of encouraging low-maintenance lawns.

"This year we're encouraging people to 're-wild' their gardens and use any patch of ground that they can to increase biodiversity, including lawns," explains Dr. Ana Attlee from Seedball. "Grow a mixture of wildflowers by scattering a lawn mix and cut out little patches of grass for the balls to grow, making sure to water them well." 

Scattering seeds at random welcomes a wild meadow feel for lawns, in place of neatly cut traditional grass. The mixture of buttercups, dandelions, White Clover, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Red Clover, and Common Knapweed introduces color and life to modern lawns.

12 Products To Keep Your Yard Growing Strong All Summer Long

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Photo: Sunday / Image Treatment: The Spruce

These days, our yards and front lawns are becoming extensions of our homes. Whether you're all in on organic, wildflower lawns or prefer a more manicured look, it's likely your plants and grass need a boost from time to time.

With help and guidance from Paige Boyle, a natural scientist at Sunday, we rounded up great lawn care products and accessories to help get you a head start on your lawn for the summer. While it can be tempting to pop into the grocery store and grab whatever label looks best, Boyle says thorough research avoids spending more on your lawn long term.

"Opting for high-quality products, especially in your lawn and garden, is beneficial for plant resiliency, cost-effectiveness, and the environment," Boyle says. "When you purchase higher quality products, you're going to yield better results and require less upkeep over time."

Ready to grow the lawn of your dreams? Scroll on for products that will help you achieve it.

Paige Boyle is the natural scientist at Sunday, a company that uses plant science and customized plans to give your lawn the nutrients it needs, cultivating rich soil for a healthy lawn.

Sunday DIY Landscaper Kit

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This is the perfect starter kit. This set from Sunday is a great way to equip yourself with all you need to establish your garden and keep your yard thriving. Your lawn is only as great as the sum of its parts, and for the team at Sunday, plants and grass should be the main focus.

"For years, aerating the home lawn has been a go-to practice, but we actually don't recommend that unless it's absolutely necessary to resolve extremely compacted soils," Boyle says. "Instead, it's best to disturb the soil as little as possible and focus on planting grass in your backyard to resolve these issues."

OIZEN Leather Gardening Gloves

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Even if you're careful about the ingredients you apply to your lawn and plants, safety first. Gardening gloves are a must-have for protecting your skin, and we love the lemon print on this heavy-duty pair.

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Sunday Lucky Lawn Grass Seed

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If you need to seed your lawn for the summer, it's time to start considering your plan of attack. In fact, depending on your local temperature, the time could be now. Regardless of when you seed, Boyle warns that the seeds you use are incredibly important, too, and that's why investing in great grass seed is essential.

"There are high-quality and high-performing seed varieties and extremely low-quality and poor-performing varieties," Boyle says. "Opting for higher quality grass seed that has been tested for resiliency to challenging conditions or low watering environments is vital to growing a healthy lawn."

Temperature is key when it comes to seeding your lawn, according to Boyle. For cool-season lawns, seed when day and night temperatures consistently hold between 50-85 degrees F. For warm-season lawns, wait to seed until late spring to mid-summer when temps consistently hold above 70-95 degrees.

American Lawn Mower Company 14-Inch Manual Reel Mower

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Along with choosing the correct seed, Boyle also tells us that mowing correctly is important, too. She taught us that mowing actually helps grass spread out across the lawn.

"When grasses are mowed, it doesn't allow the grass to flower or set seed and encourages the grass to spread out across the lawn, she explains. "So, when you mow properly, you're actually helping to grow more grass across your lawn."

This doesn't mean you need a giant lawnmower to ride on—you don't even need to get one that's motorized. In fact, if environmental effects are on your mind, a small push mower is a fabulous alternative, and this one has thousands of great reviews.

Vigoro Hand Spot Shaker/Hand Spreader

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Maybe you don't have the space for a mower, or maybe you're all in on this season's organic, wildflower lawn trend. In that case, consider a hand-powered seed spreader to help do the job when a mower isn't an option.

2WAYZ Heavy-Duty Hose Splitter

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Once you've seeded your lawn, even after you've spread your seeds around, your job isn't done. Boyle says that lawns require follow-up care to ensure establishment success. This heavy-duty faucet splitter can help you water large lawns more efficiently, and extend your reach.

Boyle explains that after you overseed your lawn, make sure to keep the soil moist (watering about 1-2 times daily) and stay off the delicate growing grass. Do this until the grass reaches two inches in height and is ready to mow, then you can return to watering 1-3 times per week.

Sunday Bare Repair Sun + Shade for Weed Control

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If you're looking to control the weeds sprouting up in your backyard, Boyle says Sunday's Bare Repair Sun + Shade is a must-have for areas of sun & shade.

"Weeding your lawn isn't just about controlling weeds—it's a two-step process to prevent weeds long term," Boyle explains. "After applying weed control, wait for the product to work and remove the plant, but don't leave the bare spot. Instead, seed into weeded areas with a premium seed repair to rebuild quality turf that's able to outcompete weeds."

Sunday Pet Lawn Bare Repair

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Pets are known for causing bare spots on your lawn, but all hope is not lost. Boyle recommends this Bare Repair formula specifically for homes with pets.

Whatever you use, take this suggestion as a reminder to shop for lawn care products with your pets and little ones in mind. Always read the label, as it's important to know what is in the products you buy as well as how to properly apply it before purchasing.

Bird Twig Leaf Rake for Gardening

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Leaf-covered yards are a dream when the temps are high, but leaf management can get unwieldy fast—yes, even months before autumn. While leaf blowers have become increasingly popular, they're notoriously harmful to the environment and just downright noisy. Instead, keep a lightweight rake on hand and make it a point to tidy up daily rather than saving it for one giant leaf collection.

Sunday Dandelion Doom Herbicide Spot Treatment (2-pack)

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If dandelions are sprouting up all over the place, don't panic. Boyle assures us Sunday has a solution for this—but you also need to step away from the blanket herbicide. Utilizing 'weed n' feeds' or pre-emergent herbicides is a long-term practice in lawns that should be curbed, Boyle says. Instead, pick a spot treatment and apply it specifically to your problem areas as needed.

Boyle says this is also a rule of thumb to follow in most areas of lawn care. She recommends looking for products with targeted applications, which means you're only applying product where it is needed and avoiding over-application or wasteful applications.

Sunday Custom Lawn Plan

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Just like every home is different, so is every lawn. Depending on your needs, your family, and your pets, different products are going to help you get the job done. That's why Sunday offers well-priced custom lawn plans to get you started. Sunday's custom lawn plans are designed to do just that: simply add your zip code, and Sunday does the work for you, suggesting products that are tailored to your area and growing zone.

"We encourage homeowners to transform and design a yard that fits their needs and their environment," says Boyle. "For those that desire some lawn, it's great to learn how to grow grass that is more self-sustaining and requires less fertilizer, water, and pesticides."

WORX WG163 GT 20V Power Share Cordless String Trimmer & Edger

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Lawnmowers are great, but unless you're into letting certain areas grow wild, you probably still need something to clean up hard-to-reach spots. This edger is perfect for trimming up around the bases of trees, handling sloped terrain, or keeping your walking paths well-defined.

Read Next:How to Plant Grass Seed: An Easy Guide

Lawn Expert Shares What Not To Do With Your Grass This Summer - How To Avoid Lawn 'burn'

How and when to use lawn feeds and treatments

It can be disappointing for Britons who have taken care of their lawn throughout the year to suddenly be hit with warm or hot weather. 

Heat can cause a number of problems for the lawn, including yellow patches and balding spots. To try and avoid this, lawn experts have shared their top tips.

The experts at iCANLAWN.Com explained: "We all want the Insta-worthy striped green lawn for our guests arriving, but it's best to put the lawn food down when the hot weather arrives.

"Most lawn food products come in granular form, so need to be watered in. When the sun is beating down on your lawn, it dries up any water very quickly.

"This can cause the lawn food to burn your lawn - as it is made up of chemicals that need to be diluted. So, to avoid this becoming an issue, delay feeding your lawn until the hot weather is over."

READ MORE: Three 'essential' cacti and succulent 'rules' to care for difficult houseplants

Lawn expert shares what not to do with your grass this summer - how to avoid lawn 'burn' (Image: Getty)

Britons should also be careful when watering their lawn throughout the summer, especially during periods of hot weather.

A quick test to do to check how much water the lawn actually needs is called the bounce back test.

The pros said: "Step on your grass and off again to see if your grass bounces back or stays flat. If it stays flat, your grass needs water.

"You should water the lawn right away, and then aim to water the lawn deeply between 10 to 14 days apart after this - ensuring all areas receive an inch of water.

Don't mow the lawn in extreme heat (Image: Getty)

"This irregular watering helps your lawn to develop a thirst, which means it can bounce back when regular rainfall returns."

Keeping the grass a little longer than usual is a great way to keep it healthy throughout the summer months, especially during a heatwave.

Longer grass creates a shadow and allows the lawn to retain water for longer, which helps to keep it hydrated.

Cutting the lawn during a period of hot weather will stress it out so make sure to keep the lawnmower in the shed until cooler weather returns.

Lawn care calendar (Image: EXPRESS)

The lawn experts continued: "New grass seedlings need watering once a day every day for six weeks after being sown, so don't sow during a drought as it will not produce successful results.

"The best times to sow are when temperatures are 10 degrees and above, but with no extreme weather conditions forecast such as drought or floods.

"We love summer sowing as much as the next person,  but we don't want your grass seed to grow - so avoid this until normal weather conditions return."

Regularly checking a weather forecast can help greatly with Britons' lawn care regime and help to plan ahead any seeding, feeding and mowing.

By pre-planning your lawn care, the experts said you can sit back, relax and enjoy it when the hot weather arrives.

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