A lot of my friends are going green and frugal with their lawns this year–by keeping the lawn mower in the garage and letting their lawns grow in naturally. That is surely a time and money saver. But not everyone can handle having their lawn go au naturel or maybe the code enforcement officer in their town might fine them for grass grown too high. Yes, this actually happens. But when you mow your lawn, you have to understand that there’s more to keep a lawn neat and tidy than just pushing a mower.

“If you really want a winning lawn this summer, you need to be aware of some basic lawn care principles,” explains Kirk Hurto, vice president, technical services for TruGreen. “Knowing the mistakes to watch for is the first step to a gorgeous green lawn that can be an outdoor living room and playspace for family and friends.”

Hurto recommends that do-it-yourselfers seek lawn care advice from a qualified lawn care professional or the local Cooperative Extension Service of their land-grant university. They can help direct you to the appropriate products, set a healthy watering schedule, and identify any problems you have.

So if you want your outdoors to be in tip-top shape this summer, keep the following Top 10 lawn care mistakes, courtesy of TruGreen, in mind so you don’t make them:

No. 10. Removing the lawn clippings after mowing. Lawn clippings are a great source of nutrients for your soil. Rather than bagging grass clippings when you mow, recycle the clippings back into the soil. However, if you can’t stand the feeling of grass clipping clinging to your ankles, at least dump your grass clippings into your garden, where they act like free mulch.

No. 9. Wrong plant, wrong place. Planting unsuitable grass or plant types for your region is an easily avoidable mistake. Ask a lawn care expert or visit the website of your local cooperative extension office for a list of the plants and grass types that will thrive with your average temperature and soil type.

No. 8. Fertilizing faux pas. Fertilizing at the incorrect rate or the incorrect time of year for your type of grass can seriously damage your lawn. Research the best time and rate to fertilize your grass to get maximum results.

No. 7. Off-target application. Fertilizer is a great source of nutrients for your lawn but it doesn’t do much for your sidewalk, driveway or street. It’s important to keep fertilizer applications on target to avoid potential nutrient run-off.

No. 6. Misdiagnosis. Well-meaning do-it-yourselfers often inadvertently cause more harm than good by misdiagnosing a lawn problem. Unless you’re positive of the problem, consult a lawn care specialist–even the guys at your local home-and-gardening center–who can provide you with the correct solution for your lawn care challenges.

No. 5. Seasonal seeding. Eager to get their lawn looking great, homeowners often grow anxious to seed new grass to thicken up their lawn. Seeding is typically best in the fall when grass is going into dormancy for the winter. (This I did not know! So when you plant your bulbs in fall for spring flowers, reseed your lawn.)

No. 4. Trimming trouble. When using a string trimmer to edge your lawn, keep in mind that if you get too close to the base of a tree, you may actually kill the tree over time. It’s important to be mindful of trees and shrubs when caring for your lawn. Have you ever noticed how wooden mailbox posts often look like they’ve been gnawed by a beaver? Imagine what a trimmer is doing to a tree!

No. 3. Watering woes. Watering is a tricky task. Avoid over or under watering your lawn–a slow steady water once a week is a good rule of thumb. Lawns require a minimum of 1 inch per week of water–or as much as local water restrictions allow–which is achieved in about 30 minutes of watering. Be mindful of the weather and time of day when watering as well. Watering in the heat of the day actually wastes water to evaporation; instead, water early in the morning to maximize the moisture on your lawn. Also, to save water and resources, set up a rain barrel system so that you’re not using “new” water when you could be recycling water you’ve collected.

No. 2. Mowing mishaps. Some homeowners try to reduce the number of times they mow by mowing too low, essentially “scalping” the grass. This can put the lawn into shock and allow weeds and insects to take over. Additionally, mowing with a dull blade increases water loss from plants and requires more gasoline to power the mower. (I raise my hand as guilty of cutting the grass too low to cut down on the times I had to mow. Only problem? I ended up frying my grass in the process. Cut it a little longer and just accept that you may have to mow more frequently.)

No. 1. Failure to follow instructions. All lawn care products come with instructions for proper use. Be sure to read and follow the instructions and you will avoid some potentially serious mistakes that could damage your lawn and the environment.