Have you recently moved to a new home surrounded by beautiful landscaping? If this is your first time dealing with a lawn, then it's easy for you to make some mistakes in terms of care and maintenance. However, you could work with a landscaper company and use this guide to avoid five common mistakes that other people make when dealing with a lawn for the first time. Taking this advice can get your lawn off to a better start.

1. Not Doing a Soil Test

It's not enough to plant some seeds in your soil for things to grow properly. Are you aware that you should test your soil before planting a garden or doing other work on your landscape? Before you go crazy planting tons of seeds or designing a garden, have a landscaper company test your soil for its pH level and the number of nutrients in it.

We've seen that the basic requirements for healthy nutrients in the soil include nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. A soil test will let you know if you have enough of those nutrients, as well as others in the soil. If the soil is nutrient deficient, it can affect how well plants grow. It's a great way to see what type of fertilizer you should use and how much of it you should use for your soil. Farmers who use compost often use things such as coffee grounds due to their high nitrogen content.

pH refers to the measurement of the level of acidity or alkaline quality in the soil. Our team of experts knows that when it comes to the pH range, it goes from zero to 14, with seven being a neutral level. According to The Spruce, the typical plant thrives at a pH level falling between six and seven. However, lawn owners should understand that there is no one ideal pH number for your soil or plants. The ideal pH range can change along with the species of grass and plants that you have on your property. Unless you're a botanist, it can be next to impossible to understand the pH level for all the varieties of plants, flowers, and vegetables you may be interested in having on your landscape. Luckily, your local landscaper company can help with all this, and you may learn something from it as well.

2. Underwatering

One of the things your plants can't live without is proper hydration. Without water, your plants will eventually die off, including your grass. When you step on your landscape, do you see visible footprints? If your footprints are still present on your grass several minutes after you stepped on it, that's a sign of a dried-out lawn that needs some moisture. According to Garden Guides, a gardening advice resource, gaps between the rolls of sod can also indicate a lack of sufficient water.

It's no secret that grass and most vegetation should be green. So, if you've noticed your grass suddenly turning pale green and eventually yellow, it's thirsty. In addition to color, look at the shape of your blades. Typical grass blades should stand straight up when healthy and hydrated but will begin to curl when they dry out.

It's easy to forget to water your grass and garden when you have a busy life. That's why you should hire a local landscaper company that can help set up a regular irrigation system for you to use. You can set such an irrigation system on a timer so that your grass receives hydration every couple of days, once a week, or whenever needed.

3. Overwatering

While it may not be surprising that it's possible to underwater your vegetation, did you know that overwatering can be just as bad? Too much water can lead to root rot and the growth of fungus on your grass and other plants. There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to watering your plants, which is why it can be tough to know if you're over or under-watering them.

Some forms of vegetation need less water in the winter. We've seen that succulent plants, such as those in the cactus family, don't need watering every week and some can go weeks without it. If you live in a hot or arid climate, you may need to give your grass extra water compared to someone who lives in a more temperate climate. The weather, soil type, type of grass, and other plants all affect the amount of water it needs. According to The Spruce, in general, you should water your lawn grass with at least an inch of water per week.

4. Using the Wrong Fertilizer

Whatever you do, don't assume that all grass and plants need the same fertilizer and the same amount of it. Unfortunately, many people who are new to owning a lawn will make the mistake of using a quick-release fertilizer. While it's understandable to use this type of fertilizer for fast growth, the downside is it may also damage your soil and burn the grass.

A custom fertilizing schedule is why it's great to utilize a landscaper company. They'll look at your grass and understand what type it is and the best type of fertilizer to use. They know the right amount of feed to use and how often. In addition, they know how to use fertilizer in a way that will kill off weeds. This is important as weeds can suck the nutrients from the soil and turn your grass yellow, as well as affect other plants in the soil.

Overall, our professionals recommend that any fertilizer used should have the right amount of phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. This is an ideal combination to ensure that any seedlings can sprout in a healthy environment. If you want to ensure your lawn environment is as organic and natural as possible, you can do what many people are doing and use compost. It's perfectly fine to begin using compost on a new lawn. Since it's a natural fertilizer, it can help lawns at every stage of their growing cycle. We've seen that your compost can include eggshells, banana peels, coffee grinds, and anything else that is compostable.

5. Watering at the Wrong Time

There's so much that goes into watering your lawn and other vegetation. In addition to understanding a balance between underwatering and overwatering, you must also be mindful of the time of day that your lawn receives hydration. It's best to aim for a watering schedule that's either early morning or later in the evening.

The point is to avoid watering your vegetation when the sun is the highest and the hottest in the sky. Doing so may be a waste, as the water would be very likely to evaporate and leave your grass feeling thirsty. It's another reason to have your landscaper company install an irrigation system with a timer. That timer can be set for the day and hour.

There are so many reasons to be excited about finally being able to manage a lawn. You have landscape space to do whatever you like, whether you finally plant a garden, add sweet-smelling flower beds, or enjoy some beautiful, well-manicured grass in front and back of your house. Whatever reasons you have for wanting a lawn, you don't have to handle its issues by yourself. It's best to enlist the services of a landscaper company that understands how to handle your grass and related vegetation. For more information, contact Ward's Lawn Service today.