Implementing Improper Ice Melt Usage

New Jersey may not be the snowiest state in the country, but the average winter includes enough snow to require plowing and ice melt. Since most sidewalks and driveways require water drainage onto nearby yards, improper or excessive ice melt can often find its way onto lawns. Unfortunately, these chemicals can have a profoundly negative impact on your home’s turf.

Of course, the safest option is to avoid ice melt altogether and rely solely on shoveling and sand. In practice, this approach can be more trouble than it’s worth. Instead, use the smallest amount of ice melt necessary to get the job done to minimize runoff that can damage your lawn. Calcium chloride-based ice melts may also be a better choice to reduce potential harm to your lawn or plants.

Mowing When Wet

Do you look forward to mowing your lawn every week, or do you like to put it off for as long as possible? If you can’t wait to get out with the mower, you might not let something as silly as wet grass slow you down. While very few people rush out to mow in the rain, mowing your lawn the day after a heavy rainfall might not seem unreasonable.

Unfortunately, mowing wet grass is more than just a little inconvenient. Mowing your lawn while wet can cause significant long-term harm to your lawn. In addition to the risk of bogging your mower down in the mud and creating unsightly tracks, the wet grass you leave behind can effectively strangle your lawn by creating tight mats that can reduce aeration and even block rain from reaching the soil.

Ignoring Animal Waste

Your pets should get to enjoy your lawn just as much as you do, but that doesn’t mean that you can ignore the waste they leave behind. Most people get frustrated when their dog tries digging a hole in the yard, but animal urine and feces are often a much larger threat to your lawn. In addition to harboring diseases, animal waste can effectively overfertilize your garden.

If you notice dead patches or ugly spots on your lawn, your pet may be to blame. The best solution to this problem is to avoid it altogether by restricting your pet to certain areas or potty training them to use specific sections of your property. These approaches can limit damage and reduce the amount of care your lawn will require.

Caring Too Much

Can you spend too much time on lawn care? Unfortunately, the answer may be yes. Fertilizing, mowing, and even cleaning leaves can benefit your lawn, but too much of a good thing can cause damage. Over-fertilization is one major concern. Too much fertilizer can effectively prevent your grass from taking in normal amounts of water, resulting in a noticeable burn effect.

Over-mowing may be a less common issue, but consistently mowing your grass with your old, worn-out blades or cutting it too short can cause damage. Likewise, removing all the leaves from your lawn can remove valuable nutrients from the soil. While you don’t have to leave a thick mat across your lawn, leaving some leaves to decay naturally can benefit your grass.

Good lawn care starts by adopting habits that can benefit your grass over the long term, but that’s only the beginning. Dirt & Turf can help you take the next step with expert advice and targeted lawn care, soil testing, and pest control programs. Call us today.