Hey Sarasota friends!

I've been in the lawn business long enough to see just about every lawn mistake in the book. (Maybe that's why they call me the GOAT? Ha!)

Today I'm gonna share the biggest mistakes I see folks making with their Florida lawns and how to fix 'em.

Mistake #1: Mowing Too Short

Man, this is the #1 killer of good lawns that I see every day. People think cutting it super short means mowing less often.

WRONG!

The Problem: When you scalp your lawn, you're stressing out the grass, making the roots weak, and inviting every weed in the neighborhood to move in.

The Fix: Follow the height guide for your grass type:

  • St. Augustine: Keep it at 3-4 inches

  • Bermuda: 1-1.5 inches

  • Zoysia: 2-2.5 inches

  • Bahia: 3-4 inches

Remember my one-third rule: never cut more than a third of the grass blade at once.

Mistake #2: Watering at the Wrong Time

I see sprinklers running at noon all the time. That's just throwing money away!

The Problem: Watering during the hot part of the day means most of that water evaporates before it even hits the roots.

The Fix: Water between 4am and 10am. Your grass gets what it needs, and you don't waste water. And don't water every day! That makes your grass lazy with shallow roots. Deep watering 2-3 times a week is way better.

Mistake #3: Fertilizer Overload

More ain't always better when it comes to fertilizer.

The Problem: Too much fertilizer burns your grass and runs off into our beautiful Sarasota waterways.

The Fix: Follow the package directions. Use slow-release fertilizer and never fertilize right before a big rain or during the hottest summer months. Down here, I like to fertilize in early spring (March), early summer (June), and fall (October).

Mistake #4: Ignoring Your Soil

The Problem: Bad soil = bad lawn. Simple as that.

The Fix: Get your soil tested every couple years. Most Florida soil is sandy and needs help. Adding organic matter like compost can work wonders. If your soil is too acidic (below 6.0 pH), you might need to add some lime.

Mistake #5: Using the Wrong Grass Type

The Problem: Some folks move down from up north and try to grow the same grass they had there. That's fighting a losing battle in Florida.

The Fix: Stick with grasses that love our climate:

  • St. Augustine for shady areas

  • Bermuda for full sun and lots of traffic

  • Zoysia for that in-between spot

  • Bahia if you want low maintenance

Mistake #6: Skipping Lawn Maintenance

The Problem: Thinking your lawn will take care of itself. Sorry, but it won't!

The Fix: Stay on top of these basics:

  • Regular mowing (weekly during growing season)

  • Proper watering

  • Fertilizing on schedule

  • Treating weeds before they take over

  • Aerating once a year if your soil gets compacted

If you ain't got time for all this (and who does?), that's what companies like Sarasota Lawn Goat are here for! We handle all the hard stuff so you can just enjoy your beautiful yard.

Mistake #7: Ignoring Pest Problems

The Problem: By the time you notice those brown patches, bugs have already had a feast on your lawn.

The Fix: Keep an eye out for chinch bugs, grubs, and armyworms - they're the worst offenders in Sarasota. If you see suspicious patches, get down on your hands and knees and take a close look. Early treatment means saving your lawn before major damage happens.

Remember, a healthy lawn is the best defense against pests and weeds. Take care of the basics, and Mother Nature will help you out with the rest.

Got lawn questions? Feel free to give me a holler. The Lawn Goat is always happy to help a neighbor out.

Talk soon,

Mario Leyva
Lawn Goat LLC
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