Lawn Care Myths You Shouldn't Believe

Are you tired of the grass always being greener on the other side? The sheer number of lawn care myths out there can make it impossible to achieve that luscious, green lawn you’ve always wanted.

You browse the internet looking for lawn improvement tips, only to find out that you’ve just made your lawn worse!

So, rather than check out unreliable sources, get your information from a lawn care source you can trust. (We’re talking about us, by the way). Here are some of the most common lawn myths debunked.

Myth: I shouldn’t leave my lawn clippings on my lawn

As long as you haven’t let your lawns grow too long between cuts, there’s no harm in leaving your lawn clippings on your lawn. In fact, it’s an environmentally-friendly and free way of giving your grass some extra nutrients.

A thin layer of lawn clippings will quickly and efficiently break down into your lawn, while also saving you endless trips to the compost heap with the grass catcher.

However, it’s essential to make sure your clippings are well spread out. If it has been too long between cuts, then put them in your compost heap or use them as mulch. 

Myth: I have to rake leaves

Autumn is a beautiful time of the year, with trees boasting an impressive array of golds, browns, and reds. But as winter sets in, those once-stunning leaves end up as rotting, dead plant material all over your lawn.

You won’t find too many people who say that raking is their favourite chore, so the good news is, it doesn’t have to be a chore. As long as the layers of leaves aren’t too thick on your lawn, you can leave them where they are. Mow over them to break them up into smaller pieces, and let them work their mulching magic.

Myth: It’s fine to water my lawn at any time of the day

You have the power to water your lawn at any time of the day, but that doesn’t mean you should. Some parts of the day are better than others—the earlier in the day you water, the better. Most lawn care experts will tell you that between 6 am and 10 am is the sweet spot.

If you water your lawn when the sun is shining, the water can evaporate before it has had a chance to reach the roots. But if you water it at night, you are putting your grass at risk of fungus and other nasties.

Myth: If I mow my lawn short, I won’t need to mow it as often

Mowing lawns is not everyone’s favourite job, which is why lawn care companies in NZ exist. Still, if you prefer to do it yourself, you might think that cutting it short is the solution. The shorter you mow it, the longer it will be before you need to do it again, right? That’s yet another lawn care myth.

Mowing your lawns too short is called scalping, and it’s certainly not in your best interests. Not only can it weaken your grass, but it can even kill it. The grass can’t get as many nutrients as it needs, and weeds can take over. It’s a good idea to keep your lawns at around 7cm during the mowing season. 

Myth: I have to water my lawn every day to keep it healthy

This is one of the most common lawn care myths debunked. You don’t have to water your lawn every day to keep it healthy. In fact, it’s preferable if you don’t.

Your lawns will thrive with deep, infrequent watering. By watering infrequently, your roots can grow deeper, giving your lawn a chance to survive in summer when rainfall is less frequent.

Myth: The more fertiliser, the better

Don’t get us wrong; fertiliser is something that can improve your lawn’s health. In saying that, it’s all about moderation. You can, in this case, have too much of a good thing. Using too much fertiliser can turn a once-healthy lawn into a barren wasteland.

It can end up burning your grass and turning it yellow. Then, if you continue to use it, the grass can go brown and die. At this point, the only thing left to do is dig it up and start again.

Here’s one of many lawn improvement tips you can work with. Whenever you buy new fertiliser, follow the instructions for use. You can also go for more natural methods, like leaving lawn clippings and leaves on your lawn.

Fact: Rely on the experts

It’s all too easy to fall for lawn care myths. After all, there is going to be the odd occasion where some of those myths actually worked. But instead of risking it, why not get the experts involved?

Get in touch with an experienced lawn care team who will be more than happy to talk you through common lawn care myths debunked. You can then enjoy how the grass isn’t greener on the other side, but rather, on yours.