You may be thinking – lawn mowing, how hard can that be? Even though mowing your lawn may seem straightforward, doing it properly is the key to keeping your grass healthy and happy, and looking lush and beautiful.
- Mow at the right height. While it may be tempting to cut your grass short or Bi-weekly to cut down on the frequency of mowing and or to reduce cost of service, doing so can harm your grass and impact its growth. Instead, mow your grass to a more moderate height. Stick to the 1/3 rule — never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade length at any one time. Removing more then 1/3 of the grass blade at a time makes the turf more susceptible to environmental stresses, pest damage and diseases. Mow every 7-10 days. Your grass with thank you!
- Only mow with sharp blades. Dull blades don’t cut the grass, they tear it, which is unsightly and unhealthy. Sharp blades ensure a clean cut every time. The frayed tips of torn blades dry out quickly, giving the lawn a brownish to whitish appearance. The turf loses more water from frayed tips leaving the grass susceptible to environmental stresses and diseases.
- Change the mowing pattern each time you mow. Grass develops a grain based on your cutting direction, tending to lean towards the direction you mow. Alternating the pattern causes more upright growth and helps avoid soil compaction and producing ruts in the lawn.
- Leave clippings on the lawn. Unless the thatch is so thick on the ground it smothers the turf or the leave clumps or rows it is best to leave clipping on the ground. This technique (known as grass cycling) returns important nutrients and nitrogen to the lawn.
