Patty's Business Blog

Even the least hardy varieties of grass are pretty tough plants, so lawns don't normally need that much maintenance, in the grand scheme of things. As long as it's watered when the weather is dry and you get the mower out on a regular basis, your lawn should keep its good looks with ease.

It doesn't always work that way, however. In fact, one of the big problems in lawn care is doing too much. You might think it can only help your lawn if you give it extra attention, but you'd be wrong. Avoid overdoing these things and you'll have a better chance of keeping a healthy, attractive lawn. 

Mowing

A short lawn is a neat and tidy lawn, so regular mowing keeps it looking good. There are limits, though. Removing too much of the leaf blades will lead to shorter, shallower roots. This means the grass is vulnerable to damage and won't be able to take in as much water. Try and limit your mowing so there are a good two inches left of each blade. The ideal length actually varies per variety, with some happy being cut shorter, so research the specific species you have, if you know what it is.

Watering

Grass needs water to grow, and plenty of it. You might think it's pretty much impossible to overwater grass, but it can actually be rather damaging. One of the big problems is that excess water can contribute significantly to the development of fungus and disease. When your lawn isn't using it, it's there to be used by other organisms. You'll also encourage weed growth.

Fertilising

Not everyone fertilises their lawn, but those that do recognise the huge benefits of feeding grass. What they aren't always aware of, however, is that it's not that difficult to overdo it. Most fertiliser contains a lot of nitrogen, which is great for lawns in the right doses. Too much, on the other hand, can dry grass out, leaving it brown and on the verge of death. Follow the instructions to the letter and you shouldn't have any problems.

Tidying

When you've finished cutting your grass, if you don't have a mower that collects all the clippings, the lawn will be covered in grass clippings. A lot of people choose to tidy these up, thinking it makes the lawn better. But it's actually much better to leave them where they are. They might be noticeable at first, but they'll soon disappear from sight. And leaving them to decompose on the lawn is an excellent way to feed it, giving it a natural boost and encouraging healthy growth.