Lawn Care Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction for a Healthier Lawn
Table of Contents
- You Should Water Your Lawn Every Day
- More Fertilizer = Better Lawn
- Cutting Grass Short Means You Mow Less
- If Your Grass Isn’t Green by March Something’s Wrong
- Weed and Feed Takes Care of Everything
- Soil Testing Isn’t Necessary
- Lawn Disease Only Happens If You Don’t Water Enough
- Only Pros Can Achieve a Golf Course Lawn
If you’ve ever gotten lawn advice from a neighbor, social media comment section, or even a random YouTube video (not on our channel, of course!), you’ve probably heard a few things that made you raise an eyebrow. And rightly so.
The truth is, common lawn care myths are everywhere — and believing them can lead to poor results, wasted time, and a lawn that’s more “meh” than majestic.
Let’s break down some of the top lawn care myths and clear the air with real, science-backed facts. Whether you’re chasing that golf course look or just want a lawn you can be proud of, understanding the difference between lawn care facts vs myths is where it all begins.
Myth #1: You Should Water Your Lawn Every Day
Fact: Less is more — deep and infrequent watering encourages stronger roots.
One of the most persistent lawn maintenance myths is that daily watering is essential. The reality? Daily light watering creates shallow roots and weak grass that struggles in heat and drought.
✅ Do this instead: Water deeply (around 1 inch per week total, including rain) 1–2 times per week. Early morning is best.
💧 Use products like Hydretain or FOURPlay™ to help your soil retain moisture and reduce watering needs — especially during drought or summer heat.
💡 Pro tip: Want precision? Use a soil moisture meter to check when it’s time to water.
Myth #2: More Fertilizer = Better Lawn
Fact: Over-fertilizing can do more harm than good — especially if you have cool-season grass.
Yes, your lawn loves nutrients — but dumping extra nitrogen on it won’t speed things up. It can actually burn your lawn, cause disease, and lead to runoff that pollutes waterways.
Cool-season lawns typically need less fertilizer than warm-season lawns because they grow more slowly and have shorter peak growing periods. Most of their growth happens in spring and fall, so they don’t require as much nitrogen to stay healthy.
In contrast, warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia are more aggressive growers during summer and need regular feeding to support their fast growth and vibrant color.
✅ Do this instead: Apply fertilizer based on your lawn’s actual needs. If your lawn needs a bit of everything, an excellent place to start is with Lebanon Complete 14-7-14 Fertilizer.
🔍 Not sure where to start? Try the MySoil Starter Pack Home Soil Test Kit to dial in exactly what your grass needs.
Myth #3: Cutting Grass Short Means You Mow Less
Fact: Scalping your lawn causes stress and invites weeds — except during a pre-season scalp.
Normally, mowing too low (aka scalping) removes too much leaf tissue, exposes soil, and encourages weed growth. But in early spring, as the temperatures rise and your lawn emerges from dormancy, pre-season scalping helps warm-season grasses like Bermuda green up faster by removing dormant top growth and allowing sunlight to heat the soil. Cutting your grass this short is best done with a gas-powered reel mower.
Unlike rotary mowers, which use a spinning blade that chops grass, reel mowers use a scissor-like cutting action, resulting in a cleaner, more even cut, especially important when mowing below 1 inch. Gas-powered models provide the torque needed to power through dense or dormant grass, making them perfect for pre-season scalping or mid-season thatch removal without bogging down or gouging the soil.
If you have a rotary mower…
✅ Do this instead: Follow the ⅓ rule (no more than a third of the blade should be cut each mow) and mow at the proper height to keep your lawn stress-free.
🔗 Check out our friends at ReelRollers.com for top-notch reel mowers, parts, and accessories.
Myth #4: If Your Grass Isn’t Green by March, Something’s Wrong
Fact: Spring green-up depends on soil temperature, not the calendar.
I get this question a lot: “Why isn’t my Bermuda lawn green yet?” Warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia need consistent soil temperatures above 65°F before waking up from dormancy. So don’t panic — or apply products too soon.
✅ Do this instead: Use a soil thermometer to track soil temperatures. When it’s time, help your lawn green up faster with a starter fertilizer like Mirimichi Green Organic Granular Fertilizer 4-4-4.
🎯 Related: The Science Behind Green Turf
Myth #5: Weed and Feed Takes Care of Everything
Fact: Weed and feed can help, but it’s not a complete lawn care solution.
This is one of the most popular common lawn care myths — and while there’s a kernel of truth to it, it doesn’t tell the whole story.
🧪 Weed and feed products are most effective early in the season, especially for knocking out small broadleaf weeds while giving your lawn a nutrient kick. However, they’re probably not enough to carry your lawn through the entire growing season.
✅ Do this instead:
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Use a pre-emergent like Prodiamine 0-0-7 or Dimension 0-0-7 to block weeds such as crabgrass, Poa Annua, and dandelions before they germinate. These are excellent products — but they contain minimal fertilizer and won’t control existing weeds.
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For weeds that break through later in the season, reach for targeted post-emergents like the Celsius and Certainty Kit for warm-season grasses and the Tenacity and SedgeHammer® Kit for cool-season turf.
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Most importantly, fertilize consistently throughout the growing season — especially if you’re growing warm-season grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia, which thrive on regular nitrogen inputs and can be fertilized every 4-6 weeks from spring through fall.
Cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, and Fescue grow most actively in spring and fall when temperatures are mild. They slow down in summer and go nearly dormant in winter. An excellent fertilizer to get your turf through summer heat stress and cold winters is Lebanon Stress 12-0-24 Fertilizer.
🌱 Bottom line: Weed and feed can be a helpful tool — but it’s just one part of a solid, season-long lawn care program.
Myth #6: Soil Testing Isn’t Necessary
Fact: Your lawn’s success lives in the soil.
You wouldn’t take vitamins without knowing what your body needs, right? The same goes for your lawn. Soil pH and nutrient levels affect how well your grass grows, how it responds to fertilizer, and how effectively it can fight off weeds and disease. Without testing, you risk over-applying nutrients your lawn already has (like nitrogen or phosphorus), which can lead to burned grass, weak root systems, and environmental runoff.
On the flip side, you might miss a key deficiency that's holding your lawn back. A soil test gives you the exact data you need to fertilize smarter — not harder — for healthier, more efficient growth.
✅ Do this instead: Test your soil at least once per year. The MySoil Testing Kit makes it easy and gives you real data you can act on.
Myth #7: Lawn Disease Only Happens If You Don’t Water Enough
Fact: Lawn disease is more often caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or mowing stress — not dryness.
This is one of those sneaky lawn care myths and facts situations. While drought can weaken grass, most lawn diseases thrive in damp, humid conditions, especially when the grass stays wet overnight. Overwatering, watering at the wrong time of day, dull mower blades, and poor airflow can all set the stage for disease outbreaks like brown patch, dollar spot, and leaf spot.
✅ Do this instead:
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Water in the early morning to reduce leaf wetness at night.
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Mow with sharp blades and avoid mowing wet grass.
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Aerate and dethatch as needed to improve airflow and drainage.
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Feed your lawn correctly — over-fertilizing can actually fuel disease.
🌱 For lawns prone to disease (especially in humid climates or during summer), consider using a preventative fungicide.
🛡️ Recommended Fungicides:
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Headway G: A granular, broad-spectrum fungicide that’s excellent for preventative and curative use on most turf diseases. Easy to apply with a broadcast spreader.
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Pillar SC Intrinsic® Brand: A liquid fungicide combining two powerful active ingredients for systemic and contact protection — great for tough or recurring lawn disease issues.
Myth #8: Only Pros Can Achieve a Golf Course Lawn
Fact: With the right tools and knowledge, you can do it, too.
One of the most limiting lawn care myths is the belief that you need a landscaping crew or commercial equipment to get that ultra-clean, pro-level look. Not true. Thousands of homeowners are transforming their lawns by learning the right techniques and using the same pro-grade products trusted on real golf courses.
✅ Do this instead: Start where you are. Whether you’re reel mowing or just upgrading your fertilizer game, every step matters — and we’re here to help.
🙌 Join our community of lawn DIYers at the Golf Course Lawn Academy. It’s an online course that walks you step-by-step through the process of creating a next-level lawn. You’ll learn everything from soil science to mowing strategy with pro tips you won’t find anywhere else.
No More Tall Turf Tales
Your lawn deserves better than guesswork. By learning the truth behind these common lawn care myths, you’re already way ahead of the game.
Remember:
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Water smart.
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Feed with intention.
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Mow like a pro.
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Test your soil.
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Time your weed control.
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And don’t believe everything you read on the internet (unless it’s from us).
Ready to ditch the myths and grow your dream lawn? Shop the Golf Course Lawn Store for the best lawn care tools and products trusted by lawn pros and serious DIYers alike.
Ron Henry
Ron Henry is the founder of Golf Course Lawn, which is dedicated to helping homeowners achieve golf course-quality lawns. He holds a certificate in Sports Turfgrass Management from the University of Georgia. With expert knowledge in turf care, fertilization, and weed control, he shares practical tips and product recommendations to create lush, healthy lawns.