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Lawn Mowing Matters


Mowing the lawn is an activity many of us take for granted. Most feel is doesn't take a rocket scientist to cut grass. But in reality, proper mowing is more involved than just starting the lawn mower and heading for the yard. Mowing your lawn can also be one of the best or worst things you ever do for your turf. Proper mowing will help discourage weeds and disease, lessen irrigation requirements, and provide nutrition for the lawn.

I've listed here some of the common lawn mowing mistakes many homeowners and grass cutters commit:

  • Cutting the grass on a strict schedule whether it needs it or not.
  • Not paying attention to height of cut.
  • Allowing the grass to grow too long and then cutting too short.
  • Never sharpening the mower blade.

    Grass should not be cut on a strict schedule but only when it is needed. This means you may cut three times in April and May and only once or not at all in July or August. It's amazing how many people will mow the lawn during times of heat and drought, eventhough the lawn is not actively growing. Some professional grass cutters are among the worst offenders.

    Not recognizing the importance of cutting height can be very detrimental to your lawn. The grass plant in nature, does not want to be cut in the first place. It wants to grow tall and set seed. But since a savannah is not usually considered an acceptible lawn , we cut the grass. Each time the grass is cut, it suffers a certain degree of shock. The lower you cut, the more severe the shock. Different grass types also do best at different mowing heights. I've listed the best mowing heights for selected popular lawn grasses.

  • Kentucky Blue Grass - 2 1/2 to 3 inches
  • Fine Fescue - 1 1/2 to 2/1/2 inches
  • Tall Fescue - 2 1/2 to 4 inches
  • Perennial Rye - 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches
  • Bahiagrass - 2 to 3 inches
  • Bermudagrass - 1/2 to 1 inch
  • Buffalograss - 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches
  • Centipedgrass - 1 to 2 inches
  • St. Augustinegrass - 2 to 3 inches
  • Zoysiagrass - 1/2 to 1 inches

    One rule to keep in mind: Never cut off more than 1/3 of the grass growth at any one mowing. So if your grass has grown to 3 inches, you may safely remove 1 inch of blade. Mow more than that and you will severely stress your lawn and make it more vulnerable to weeds, diseases, insects, and drought. If you've been away for awhile and your lawn has grown very tall, adhere to that 1/3 rule. Mow 1/3 one day, wait a few days, mow another 1/3 and so on until the desired height is reached. Also bear in mind, grass root growth is directly proportional to leaf growth; the longer the grass, the deeper the root system, and the healthier the turf.

    The copyright of the article Lawn Mowing Matters in Garden Q & A is owned by Georgeann Hall. Permission to republish Lawn Mowing Matters in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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