Five Common Lawn Care Mistakes Exeter Homeowners Make Every Summer

A healthy lawn doesn't just happen by chance, especially around Exeter and with so many new builds these days. Even with Exeter's generally favourable climate, a few common mistakes can leave grass looking patchy, brown or worn out by the end of summer.

Whether your garden is used by children, pets or simply as a place to relax, avoiding these pitfalls can help keep your lawn looking its best throughout the warmer months.

1. Cutting the Grass Too Short

It can be tempting to mow the lawn as short as possible to reduce how often it needs cutting, but this often does more harm than good.

Longer grass helps shade the soil, keeping moisture in the ground during warm weather. Cutting too low leaves the grass under unnecessary stress and makes it more vulnerable to drought, weeds and moss.

During summer, raising your mower by one setting is often enough to make a noticeable difference.

2. Watering Little and Often

Many homeowners reach for the hose every evening during a dry spell, but frequent light watering encourages shallow roots.

Instead, it's better to water thoroughly once or twice a week. This encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, making the lawn more resilient when warmer weather arrives.

Early morning is usually the best time to water, allowing moisture to soak into the ground before the heat of the day increases evaporation.

3. Leaving Bare Patches Too Long

Bare areas caused by heavy foot traffic, pets or children's play can quickly become home to weeds if left untreated.

Small repairs made during the summer can prevent bigger problems later in the year. If rainfall is limited, simply keep newly sown areas watered until the grass establishes.

For larger renovations, early autumn often provides ideal growing conditions as the soil remains warm while rainfall becomes more reliable.

4. Using the Wrong Grass Seed

Not every lawn has the same requirements.

A family garden that sees plenty of use needs a different type of grass from a decorative front lawn. Likewise, gardens with lots of shade benefit from seed mixes designed for lower light levels.

Choosing a grass seed suited to how the lawn is actually used usually produces better long term results than opting for a general-purpose mixture.

5. Assuming Brown Grass Is Dead

One of the biggest misconceptions is that a brown lawn has failed.

During prolonged dry weather, grass naturally enters a dormant state to conserve water. In many cases, it quickly returns to its usual green colour once rainfall resumes.

Before replacing an entire lawn, check for signs of new green shoots after rain. You may find that nature has already started the recovery process.

Looking Ahead

A great lawn is built over time rather than in a single weekend. Regular mowing, sensible watering and choosing the right seed for your garden can make a significant difference, even after a challenging summer.

For homeowners planning to repair or improve their lawns later this year, autumn remains one of the best opportunities to establish healthy new grass before winter arrives.

Rural Supplies has supplied grass seed and lawn care products to homeowners, landscapers and gardeners across the UK for many years. Its range includes specialist seed mixes for hard-wearing family lawns, shaded gardens and other growing conditions, helping customers choose products suited to the way they use their outdoor space.