Hey there, lawn enthusiasts! We know you love a lush, green carpet of turfgrass in your yard. But did you know that the way you mow can make or break your lawn's curb appeal? At Newell Services LLC, we're all about helping you achieve that picture-perfect lawn. Today, we're diving into the world of mowing practices and their crucial role in turfgrass health.
Mowing Height Matters
Imagine this: you're in a hurry and decide to give your grass a low cut so you don't have to mow again soon. You set the mower's blades super low, thinking it will save you time. But hold on – this is one mowing mistake you should avoid. Cutting your grass too short, a practice known as "scalping," can and does weaken your turfgrass.
Turfgrass blades are like solar panels for your lawn. They capture sunlight, convert it into energy, and store it in the roots. When you scalp your lawn, you remove too much of this vital energy source. This weakens the grass, making it vulnerable to pests, diseases, and drought.
The One-Third Rule of Mowing
Here's a golden rule for mowing: never cut more than one-third of the grass height at once. Why? Cutting too much at once stresses the grass, causing it to turn brown and thin out. When you follow this lawn mowing best practice, your lawn stays healthier and looks better.
So, set your mower blades to the right height. For most turfgrass types, that means keeping it between 2.5 to 3.5 inches. This length provides shade to the soil, reduces weed growth, and encourages a robust root system.
Dull Blades Are a No-Go
Using a dull mower blade is like trying to cut a tomato with a butter knife – it's not pretty. Dull blades tear the grass instead of giving it a clean cut. This can lead to jagged edges which means larger surface areas for disease to enter the plant.
Make sure to sharpen your mower blades regularly. A sharp blade ensures a clean cut, which promotes healthier grass and a neater appearance.
Mowing Frequency
If your goal is the best lawn on the block, then I'd advise thinking outside of the box -- getting out of the rigid mowing schedule mindset. Like all living things, the growth of your turf grass will vary across the season. I recommend that your mowing schedule is more fluid allowing for mowing when the lawn needs it, rather than on a hard and set schedule. Remember, your lawn doesn't care what day it is...its not going anywhere!
I've found that mowing on a rigid schedule (weekly or, dear lord, even every other week) works for portions of the season, but is inadequate during periods of high growth. This practice often results in too much leaf blade being cut off stressing your turf grass and opening the plant up to disease and pests. On the flip side, mowing too often, as can be the case with robotic mowers undersized for the area to be maintained therefore running too often, appears to provide a constant level of injury to the turf grass which also opens the plant up to disease and pests.
Find the sweet spot for cutting your lawn. There is a sweet spot each week for your lawn where growth is allowed to happen and when mowing is necessary, only 1/3 of the leaf blade is removed. There may be weeks or even months for your lawn where this sweet spot occurs every 7 days, coincidentally. It never going to be a full growing season however.
Open yourself up to the idea of mowing every 3rd, 4th or 5th day during periods of high growth. Making this adjustment will reward you with a healthier lawn that has a much better appearance.
Timing Is Everything
Timing matters in mowing too. Avoid mowing during the hottest part of the day, as this can stress your grass. Instead, opt for early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are cooler but your grass is dry. Your lawn will thank you for it.
Mowing Pattern
When mowing your lawn, it is important to mow in alternating patterns. This will help to prevent compaction resulting from the weight of cutting equipment traveling the same path over and over and over.
Mowing Equipment Matters
We recommend the use of the smallest, lightest cutting equipment possible that still completes the task. A push-mowed lawn produces a better finish cut than that produced by a ride-on mower. Similarly, a manual reel mowed lawn has a much finer finish that that of a push-mower.
Too often we find clients who want a great lawn are hiring out mowing to a company using a 60", 1200lb ride-on mower for their 5,000 square foot lawn. This overkill in equipment results in a lack of mowing pattern options. repeated mowing of the same pattern increases soil compaction can lead to weak spots, especially 'Tracking" in your lawn.
For the client seeking the "best lawn on the block", it is our recommendation that the smallest equipment possible is used on the areas of your lawn most visible to visitors to your property. For the average 5-10K square foot lot, a push mower should be used.
The Cleanup
Grass clippings can provide valuable nutrients to your soil when they decompose. So, consider using a mulching mower that finely chops the clippings and spreads them back onto the lawn. If at any mowing you find cut grass clumping, use a rake or blower to disperse the clippings. This will help you lawn stay green and avoid unsightly hot spots.
In summary, mowing is more than just a chore – it's a crucial aspect of turfgrass health. Follow these mowing best practices, and you'll be well on your way to a healthier, greener lawn. And if you ever need expert help, remember that Newell Services LLC is just a call away, ready to ensure your lawn gets the care it deserves.
Happy mowing!
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