So, all you have to do is delegate grass cutting to some local teenagers looking for some extra cash, and your lawn care worries are over-- Right? Wrong! Mowing might seem like a goof-proof chore, but lawns that are properly cut are actually healthier and more beautiful. A properly mowed lawn is thicker and has deeper roots, making it more durable and better equipped to combat weeds, insects, and diseases.
Remember, mowing mistakes can result in discolored lawn tips, brown spots, and even severe damage to the lawn. NEA Turf Care experts advise that common mistakes are mowing too infrequently and cutting grass too short. Here are some tips on proper mowing technique:
LAWN MOWING TIPS
Avoid Scalping
Letting grass grow tall and then removing more than 1/3 of the leaf blade is called "scalping" and can damage the lawn. Mowing grass extremely low can also damage the lawn by cutting into the crowns of the plants.
Sharpen Blades
Make sure your mower blades are sharp in order to cut cleanly. Dull blades can shred grass and cause discoloration at the tips because frayed grass blades lose moisture easily. Sharpen the blades of rotary mowers several times each growing season. Reel type mowers usually only require sharpening once a year, but adjust them to ensure they cut cleanly. Some grass species have tough blades, which causes blades to wear quickly.
Be Gentle with Damaged Grass
Raise the mower height a notch or two when mowing a lawn that's recovering from drought, insect damage or disease.
Use Your Grass Clippings
Recycle grass clippings to reduce water loss, lower soil temperatures, and return nutrients to the soil. Plus, you'll save the trouble of bagging and keep clippings out of our already-clogged landfills. In fact, many communities will no longer accept grass clippings in household trash.
Don't Cut Wet or Wilted Grass
Avoid cutting wet grass, which can cause brown spots because clippings clump together and smother your lawn. Cutting wilted grass, particularly during the hottest part of the day, can also cause severe damage to your lawn.
Know When to Mow
The best guide for mowing frequency is the growth of your grass. Plan to cut less than one-third of the grass blade in one mowing. Keep in mind that certain grasses, such as bermuda, zoysia and centipede grasses, require close mowing to stay healthy. Allowing these grasses to grow too high will promote thatch development.
So You Miss a Mowing
During periods of rapid growth, lawns may require mowing as frequently as every three to four days. Of course, sometimes we just don't have time to mow as often as we'd like. If your grass has grown too high, reset your mower to its highest cutting level. Three or four days later, reset the mower to cut at the normal height and mow your grass again.
Mowing Height
Select the proper mowing height for your lawn. Measure the grass plants after mowing a very small area, then adjust your mower as necessary. Always mow your lawn at the recommended cutting height. Optimal mowing height in inches:
Hybrid Bermuda grass - 0.5 to 1.0
Common Bermuda grass - 1.0 to 1.5
St. Augustine grass, Bahia grass - 3.0 to 3.5
Zoysia grass - 1.0
Centipede grass - 1.0 to 1.5
Rye grass, blue grass, fine fescue - 2.5 to 3.0
Tall fescues - 2.5 to 3.0
Mowing After An NEA Turf Care Application
To ensure the effectiveness of the application and to minimize exposure, the lawn should not be mowed for at least 24 hours following the application or until it has been watered, or it has rained and dried. |
