A GARDENING expert has shared a common mistake homeowners make when trying to keep their lawns green – and why it’s wasting you money.
With temperatures set to climb again this weekend, after a chilly bank holiday many of us are likely making plans to spend time relaxing in the garden.
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However, after a long winter of neglect, our lawns may be in need of a bit of TLC.
And although you may think that the best thing to do to keep your lawn looking healthy in the heat is blast it with water Ivana Agustina, Head of Project Management at ShrubHub revealed that this can have an adverse affect.
“A lot of people overwater without realizing it,” she told Fabulous.
Over-watering your lawn can drown the roots, leading to a shallow root system which is more susceptible to diseases and pests.
Ivana said that instead of running a sprinkler throughout the day, you should deep water the grass twice a week in the morning.
“This encourages the roots to grow deeper and makes your lawn more drought-resistant.
“You’ll use less water overall, and your lawn will actually look greener for it.”
As you will be using less water with this method you will save money, whilst making your lawn look lusher than ever.
Ivana also revealed that mowing at the wrong time can have disastrous consequences.
“People don’t realise that grass gets stressed just like any plant,” she said.
Many gardeners make the common mistake of mowing their grass in the midday heat, without realising the harm this can do to the grass.
“If you mow it at the wrong time, you’re basically wounding the lawn when it’s least able to recover.”
The expert revealed that in spring the best time to mow your lawn is between 9 am and 11 am.
“Mowing during late morning means you’re not clogging your mower with wet clippings or baking the lawn in midday heat,” she said.
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3) Mow frequently
4) Aerate lawn with a fork
Ivana explained that one of the worst times to mow your grass is before 8 am as grass is still wet from morning dew, which leads to “uneven trimming”.
She added that between 2 pm and 4 pm is also not a good time to cut the grass, as this is the hottest part of the day, “which is bad news for moisture retention and overall lawn health.”
The expert added: “You’re slicing into already-dry blades under a blazing sun.
“That kind of trauma leaves your grass vulnerable to pests, yellowing, and fungal infections.”
During the summer time, the expert revealed that the best time to mow is between 6 am and 8 am, as this allows you to avoid the heat.
Ivana said that cutting your lawn at the wrong time could lead to fungal diseases, uneven growth and increased weed risk.