April is National Lawn Care Month. Valley Green is ready for all of your spring and National Lawn Care Month needs. Our spring season is also a common time for us to answer questions on lawn care myths. There is a lot of information out there about lawn care and we want to bust some of the most common lawn care myths. If you have any questions about debunking certain lawn care myths, all of our location managers would be more than willing to answer them for you.
Happy National Lawn Care Month!
Myth #1: You can water your lawn or landscape at any point during the day.
You should water your lawn and landscape early in the morning. There are two reasons for this; if you water when the sun is fully out, the water may evaporate before it has a chance to reach the soil. If you water too late, the excess may not evaporate which creates a breeding ground for mildew and fungus growth.
Myth #2: Cutting your grass short decreases mowing frequency.
Cutting your lawn too short can leave the grassroots exposed. When the roots are exposed to the sun, it can cause the lawn to turn brown. Cutting too short and too often also encourages weed growth. Weeds grow better in hot and dry conditions and if your grassroots don’t have the shade they need from long stems, you’ll end up with more weeds than grass.
Myth #3: You can use any type of grass seed no matter where you live.
Different grass varieties have different growing conditions. One of our most popular products is our grass seed blends. Each of them requires different conditions to grow in. Some grasses grow better in cooler weather and some grass is more drought-hardy than others. It all depends on where you want to where and when you want to grow the grass.
Myth #4: Using a hose to water your lawn is more effective than using a sprinkler system.
If a sprinkler or irrigation system is installed correctly, it waters your lawn evenly. Using a hose increases the possibility of overwatering which can dramatically increase your water bill. Using a hose as opposed to a sprinkler will also raise the chance that you may under water the lawn which may result in ugly brown spots.
Myth #5: Leftover grass clippings can cause a build-up of thatch. Thatch is actually caused by excess watering and too much fertilization. Leaving grass clippings is actually good for the soil. It retains moisture and returns nutrients to the soil. It also saves time because you don’t have to dispose of the clippings.