Mowing Tips

When it comes to mowing, there's one axiom to observe. That's the rule of one-third. It says: Never remove more than one-third of the surface area of the grass blade at any one time.

Why one-third?

If you let the grass grow too high then cut it back by half or more, you shock the plant down to its roots. In fact, there is a direct relationship between mowing height and depth of roots. Mowed at its recommended height, grass roots grow deep. But if cut severely, root growth slows, and the grass is less vigorous and more subject to stress because its energy is directed to replacing lost leaves.

The grass will recover, but it may take several weeks. Also, at low cutting heights, diseases such as dollar spot, leaf spot, and rust are more of a problem because they can envelop the whole plant more quickly.

An occasional too-low mowing is usually a temporary setback. But if you routinely cut off more than a third of the grass, either by setting the mowing height too low or not sticking to a once-a week schedule, you can expect you lawn to thin out, be weedy and subject to disease and other problems.

Just how and when you mow depends on several factors including the type of grass, the season of the year, and the amount of fertilizer and water applied. For example, cool-season grasses need mowing more in spring and fall warm-season grasses in summer. And the more you fertilize and water, the more you'll need to mow. The important element is flexibility. You may have to mow twice a week during peak growth periods or only twice a month during the slow times.

When you mow, vary your pattern. Mowing in the same direction every time tends to compact soil. Grass leans or grows in the direction it is mowed, so altering the mowing pattern will keep it straighter.

Do not cut wet grass. It mows unevenly, and the clippings clog the mower, as well as, mat on the grass, blocking light.

For safety's sake, mow slight slopes on a diagonal. If the ground is uneven, avoid scalping high spots. Either raise the mowing height or regrade the area.