6/10
Leaves Smother Lawns
Did you know that leaves are actually great for your lawn? Leaves have an organic matter in them that is great for your soil. It works as a natural fertilizer, helping your grass to grow the following year. According to Sam Bauer, a turfgrass researcher from the University of Minnesota, it can even suppress the growth of weeds as well. He recommends mulching the leaves by using a lawn mower (specifically with a specialized mulching blade, if you have one) over the leaves to cut them up. However, if you have huge piles of leaves on your lawn, it may be hard to mulch all at once (and yes, can smother your grass). Remove those piles until you have a good dusting of leaves around your lawn before mulching with your mower.
7/10
Tonics Will Help My Lawn to Grow
Why drink beer when you can use it to grow your grass, right? Wrong! Don’t waste your beer on a grass tonic, because it actually doesn’t help your lawn at all. People have made the claim in the past that tonics including beer, cola, hydrogen peroxide, or even dish soap, can improve the state of your lawn. But it’s actually false! Sure these products can increase microbial activity and suppress insect pests, but it’s very questionable to use for a greener lawn. Instead, try these tips for growing greener grass.
8/10
Wear Aerator Shoes While Mowing
Sure, it’s a time saver, but it’s not doing an effective job of aerating your lawn at all. If you break down the math, you’re only going to be able to aerate about .04 percent of your lawn by doing it this way. In reality, your need to aerate at least 5 percent of your soil to effectively reduce compaction of your soil. This type of coverage will be difficult for just one person to do, which is why hiring a service may be your best bet.
