A beautiful yard isn't possible without proper care. Knowing what mistakes to avoid is an important part of developing a landscaping care plan. 

1. Fertilizing Without Testing

Fertilizing your lawn in the spring and summer, along with any garden beds, is a necessity if you want everything green and healthy. Just don't make the mistake of applying a general fertilizer without testing the soil. Without a soil test, there is no way to know exactly what nutrients the soil is deficient in. Your landscaping service can perform a simple soil test. They will then choose a fertilizer type that will best help your lawn. 

2. Mulching Inefficiently

There are two common mulching mistakes—not applying mulch at all or applying it in mounds around tree trunks. Mulch improves the appearance of your garden beds and bare areas while also preventing weeds and conserving moisture. The problem occurs when it's piled up, as this can cause tree trunks and plant stems to rot. An even layer that is a couple of inches thick and leaves a bit of space around trunks is the best way spread it around. 

3. Mowing Too Short

Lawn mowing services should begin in spring and continue until the lawn goes dormant in fall. Mowing too short, though, will weaken the grass and lead to bare, brown spots. The ideal length depends on the type of grass and time of year, with grass kept longer in the summer and cut shorter come fall. Generally, a grass height of a couple of inches is ideal, but verify with your landscaper the correct height for your type of grass. 

4. Skipping Seasonal Cleanup

Your yard will require some cleaning up at the end of each season to look good and remain healthy. For example, fall is the obvious time to rake leaves and cut back plants that die off annually. Late winter and spring require pruning as well as cleaning up broken branches and other winter debris in the lawn. There are also seasonal needs such as cleaning out dying plants from flower beds and edging lawns so they look nicer. 

5. Watering Improperly

Watering lawns and landscaping plants can be challenging. It's a bit easier if you have an automatic sprinkler system that can be set on zoned timers to fit the needs of each part of your landscaping. Your landscaper can install moisture meters around the yard to provide a more accurate guide for when to water. They can also help you develop the best watering schedule to meet the specific needs of your landscaping. 

Contact a residential landscape contractor to learn more.