A lush lawn can do wonders for your curb appeal and give you the perfect setting for quality time with kids and pets. Whether you’re new to caring for a lawn or have been doing so for years, there are some common mistakes you should avoid. Knowing how to use your lawn equipment properly and how to schedule out your care for a healthy and attractive lawn will put you ahead of the pack in your neighborhood.

How Not to Care for Your Lawn

1. Using Dull Mower Blades

People have a tendency to buy their lawn equipment and not think about it again until it breaks down. But all that mowing week after week will dull your mower blades faster than you realize. Dull blades can discolor your lawn, cut it unevenly to leave it looking ragged, pull up entire portions of grass, and leave the grass susceptible to disease.

Generally, lawn mower blades should be sharpened every 20 to 25 hours of use, which tends to be once to twice a year for homeowners or once a week for professional landscapers.

2. Mowing Too Short

People may try to buy a few extra days between mowings by cutting their grass a little shorter than they should. Most lawns should be mowed to a length of around three inches—any shorter and the lawn will suffer. Shortening lawn equipment blades too far limits the photosynthesis that occurs, which leads to poor root growth and thus fewer nutrients for the lawn. The poor growth will leave the lawn vulnerable to heat, disease, and pest infestations.

3. Improper Watering

The two most common mistakes people make in watering is overwatering and having it done at the wrong time of day. Overwatering will drown the grass, saturating it until it can’t absorb the oxygen it needs.

Watering at the wrong time of day, such as in the late evening, will leave the lawn wet for too long and lead to fungal or mold growth. Watering is best done in the early morning just before the sun starts to shine. How often you want to water will depend on your climate and the type of grass you have.

The right lawn equipment makes caring for your lawn easy. Southside Equipment Company is a full-service garden equipment company providing sales, repair, servicing, and parts in Milledgeville, GA. Their experts can help you choose the right lawn mowers for your needs, then keep them in good condition for proper mowing. View their used lawn mowers online and call them at (478) 452-5523 to talk with a knowledgeable staff member.