17 Things You Should Never Do To Your Lawn

Keeping your lawn green and gorgeous can feel like a full-time job, especially when you’re not sure what you might be doing wrong. But sometimes, the secret to a better lawn is less about what you should do, and more about what you shouldn’t.

Here are 15 common slip-ups that could be sabotaging your lawn’s potential. Avoid these, and you’re on your way to a yard that’s not just surviving, but thriving.

Don’t rake Away All Your Leaves

Believe it or not, a few leaves on your lawn can do more good than harm. Those fallen leaves are packed with organic nutrients that act like a natural fertilizer. As they decompose, they enrich the soil, helping your grass come back stronger and greener next year.

Leaves can even keep weeds at bay. To get the best out of them, use a lawn mower with a mulching blade to chop them up finely and spread the benefits around your lawn.

Don’t Forget to Compost

Dont rake Away All Your Leaves 1 — Image Credit: schulzie from Getty Images/Canva Pro.

Compost can be a game-changer for your lawn, especially if the soil feels lifeless or depleted. Sprinkle a thin layer of high-quality compost across your lawn—about a quarter to a half-inch thick. Then, gently rake it in to help it settle and mix with the existing soil. It’s ideal to do this after you’ve aerated your lawn to ensure the compost penetrates deeply, nourishing your grass from the roots up.

Though it might take a few treatments, the improvement is worth it. For larger lawns, consider buying compost in bulk to cover more ground efficiently.

Don’t Apply Herbicides in Extreme Weather

Timing is everything when it comes to using herbicides. If it’s too cold, the weeds aren’t growing, and the herbicide won’t absorb properly. Too hot, and you risk stressing not just the weeds but your grass as well. Check the product label for the ideal temperature range before application.

Also, avoid applying before rain—it can wash the herbicide away before it has a chance to work. I’ve made the mistake of applying treatments before a storm, and it’s painful to watch all that effort (and money) literally wash away.

Don’t Overdo the Fertilizer

More isn’t always better with lawn fertilizer, especially on sandy soils where it can quickly leach into groundwater. Lawns need a specific amount of nutrients, and going overboard can do more harm than good.

I used to think more fertilizer would mean a greener lawn, but instead, it actually leads to burnt patches and dead grass. Learn from my early mistakes: follow the recommended amounts on the fertilizer package to keep your lawn healthy and avoid damaging the environment.

Don’t Stick to One Mowing Pattern

Shake up your mowing routine to avoid wear patterns in your lawn. Repeating the same mowing path each time can cause your grass to lean and grow at an angle, not to mention the permanent tracks from the mower wheels that can form over time.

I learned this the hard way with my first lawn—by the end of the summer, it looked more like a zebra than a yard! Try alternating directions: mow front to back one week, diagonal the next. It’ll keep your lawn looking even and healthy.

Don’t Rush to Mow After Rain

While it might be tempting to mow your lawn right after it rains, it’s best to wait until it’s dry. Wet grass doesn’t cut cleanly; it clumps and can smother your lawn, leading to ugly burn spots. It also makes cleaning your mower a real chore, as wet clippings stick to the blades and underside of the deck.

Plus, mowing on wet soil can damage both your lawn and mower by creating ruts. Hold off on mowing until your grass is dry to touch.

Don’t Miss the Chance to Reseed

If your lawn looks more like a patchwork of weeds and bare spots, don’t miss the chance to give it a fresh start with reseeding. This process involves removing the old turf and starting anew with fresh seeds. Reseeding can drastically improve your green space.

Plan to spend a weekend or two on this if you have an average-sized yard. After planting, keep the soil lightly damp by watering daily for the initial weeks to encourage growth.

Don’t Mow Too Low

There’s an ideal height for cutting grass, and it’s generally best to err on the longer side. Each blade is crucial for photosynthesis, effectively serving as a mini solar panel for your grass. Short blades struggle to produce as much food, weakening your lawn.

They also fail to shade the soil, which is especially harmful in summer’s heat. Keeping your grass longer can protect and strengthen it, whereas cutting it too short during hot months can stress and even kill your grass.

Don’t Skimp on Checking Soil Moisture

Keeping your lawn well-watered is essential, but how do you know if you’re getting enough water down to the roots? Here’s a simple check: After a dry spell, water your lawn for 30 minutes, then use a shovel to peel back the turf a bit. This lets you see how deep the water’s gotten.

Ideally, you want it to reach about three to four inches deep. If it’s shallow, adjust your sprinkler to go a little longer to ensure your lawn gets all the hydration it needs.

Don’t Ignore the Shade

Trying to grow grass in shady spots under trees? It’s tough, but not impossible. The trick is to know which grass types can handle the shade and the best planting methods for your area. In places with cooler climates, seeds tend to work better than sod, which is grown in sunny fields and loves the sunlight.

For shady nooks, especially in northern regions, go for red and tall fescues. Look for shade-specific grass seed mixes at your garden center. The best times to plant? Late summer and mid-spring.

Don’t Over-Fertilize the Shady Spots

It’s easy to think that the struggling grass in shady parts of your lawn needs more fertilizer, but that’s actually a shortcut to killing it quicker. Grass in the shade doesn’t gobble up as much food as the grass basking in the sun, so it needs less fertilizer.

When you’re spreading fertilizer in shady areas, dial it back—about half of what you’d use in sunny spots should do. Always read the labels on your products and make sure your equipment’s set right to avoid burning your lawn.

Don’t Drown Your Lawn

It’s tempting to water your lawn every day, but that’s like overdoing it with coffee—it might perk things up at first, but it doesn’t really help in the long run. Watering too frequently encourages shallow roots, which can make your lawn needy and less drought-resistant.

Instead, go for a deep soak once a week—aim for about an inch of water. This helps roots grow deep, making your lawn tougher and more self-sufficient.

Don’t Forget to Tackle That Thatch

Thatch might sound like a fancy garden term, but it’s just old, decomposing grass that’s hanging out at the surface of your soil. Left unchecked, it’s like a tight belt around your lawn, suffocating it slowly. If your thatch layer has grown over 3/4-inch, it’s time to grab a dethatcher.

You can rent one or use a manual dethatching rake. Spring’s the best time for this, clearing the way for your lawn to breathe and grow freely through the summer.

Don’t Skip the Aeration

Think of aeration as giving your lawn a good stretch—it needs it! Over time, your lawn’s soil can get as packed as a crowded elevator, making it tough for air, water, and nutrients to get down to the roots where they’re needed most. Aeration is like loosening up that tight crowd so everything can flow better.

Grab a power core aerator from your local rental center or home improvement store and give your lawn some breathing room. It’ll thank you by growing thicker and healthier.

Don’t Forget to Sharpen That Mower Blade

Mowing your lawn with a dull blade is like trying to shave with a blunt razor—messy and painful. Dull blades tear the grass, leaving it jagged and more vulnerable to diseases. If the tips of your grass look brown after a trim, it’s time to sharpen up.

Keeping your mower blade sharp isn’t just for looks; it’s for your lawn’s health. Aim to sharpen your blade at least three times during the growing season to make each cut clean and stress-free for your grass.

Don’t Ignore Local Climate When Choosing Grass

Don’t just pick any grass for your yard; pick what will thrive where you live. Facing chilly winters? Plant cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass or red fescue.

Dealing with hot summers? Bermuda or centipede grass could be perfect. Choosing the right seed from the start sets your lawn up for glory.

Don’t Bag the Clippings Unless Necessary

Think twice before you bag those grass clippings. Leaving them on your lawn isn’t a mess, it’s a nutrient boost, recycling goodness back into the soil.

Regular mowing? Let them lie. But if your lawn’s overgrown, then yeah, bag those clippings to avoid smothering your grass with clumpy leftovers.