Avoid These Common Lawn Care Mistakes for a Healthy Lawn in Lakeland

Keeping your lawn healthy in Lakeland takes more than just the occasional mowing and watering. With Florida’s unique combination of sandy soils, heavy rainfall, and constant heat, what may start out as small mistakes when tending to your lawn can quickly turn into big problems. Because of this, proper care is essential if you want your yard to stay green, lush, and full.

At Evolve, we understand the challenges of effective lawn maintenance in Lakeland. Our team has the knowledge and experience needed to make sure your lawn stays healthy year-round. Here are some of the top mistakes to watch out for: 

Mowing Too Short (“Scalping”)

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners can make is accidentally mowing their grass too short, also known as scalping. In Florida’s hot climate, scalping leads to unnecessary stress on your lawn, making it more vulnerable to weeds, pests, and drought.

For prime results, the best mowing heights can vary depending on your grass type. For example, St. Augustine grass should typically be cut at about 3.5–4 inches, Bahia at 3–4 inches, and Zoysia at around 2–3 inches. By making sure to mow at the correct height, your grass has a better chance at developing strong roots, staying lush, and surviving the hot Florida heat.

Overwatering or Underwatering

Just because Lakeland’s rainy season brings heavy showers, doesn’t mean your grass will be getting the right amount of water. In fact, too much water can actually suffocate roots and encourage weeds or fungus, while watering too little can leave you with brittle, brown patches that can be hard to fix.

To know if your grass is getting the right amount of water, it’s important to look out for specific signs. Overwatered grass tends to consist of spongy soil, fungal growth, and fast weed spread. On the other hand, underwatered lawns usually look dry, thin, and crunchy. 

To avoid both of these mistakes, try setting your irrigation to run a few times a week for deeper watering rather than short, daily bursts. By doing this, your lawn has a better chance of developing healthier root systems that can better handle Lakeland’s climate.

Fertilizing at the Wrong Time

When it comes to fertilization, timing is crucial. Florida’s summer heat and local fertilizer restrictions mean that applying product at the wrong time can hurt your lawn or contribute to harmful runoff.

Instead, it is best to focus on fertilizing in the spring and fall seasons when your lawn can best absorb nutrients.

Neglecting Weed & Pest Control

Lakeland lawns face unique threats, including pests like chinch bugs, mole crickets, and invasive weeds like dollarweed. While many choose to wait until after these problems appear to work on a solution, this often leads to larger infestations that are harder to control.

For this reason, preventative maintenance for both weed and pest control is key. Routine inspections, targeted treatments, and healthy maintenance practices can go a long way in protecting your lawn from damage before it starts. With professional lawn services in Lakeland, you can be sure your yard stays strong against these local challenges.

Keep Your Lawn Healthy with Evolve

Avoiding these common mistakes can make all the difference for your yard. With the right approach to lawn maintenance in Lakeland, your grass can thrive no matter the season.

Don’t let small errors lead to big headaches. With Evolve’s expert lawn services in Lakeland, you can keep your yard green, full, and healthy without the stress. 

Contact us today at (863) 535-0506 to learn more about our comprehensive lawn maintenance program!

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