10 avoidable lawn-care mistakes

Step 01

The ten mistakes to avoid

Good preparation and attentive aftercare are far easier than correcting an uneven, dry or poorly rooted lawn later.

1. Leaving ground preparation until the turf has arrived. The entire area should be cultivated, firm and level beforehand.
2. Leaving freshly delivered turf rolled up for more than 12 hours. Lay it promptly whenever possible.
3. Installing turf without reliable access to water, particularly during warm or dry weather.
4. Laying a new lawn immediately before a holiday or period when nobody can monitor and water it.
5. Keeping delayed turf rolled up. If laying is unavoidably delayed, unroll it in a cool area and keep it moist.
6. Over-compacting the soil. New roots need a firm base with a loose surface tilth and reasonable drainage.
7. Pulling and stretching turf into place. Push rolls together so joints remain tight as the turf settles.
8. Laying onto an uneven surface. Bumps and hollows cause poor contact, uneven rooting and scalping during mowing.
9. Cutting too short on the first mow. Start on the mower’s highest setting and reduce height gradually.
10. Forgetting that turf needs ongoing water, nutrition and seasonal maintenance after it has established.