(316) 435-3509
office@divine-lawns.com
(316) 435-3509
office@divine-lawns.com
Mowing Best Practices
The weekend is usually when sheds are opened and lawnmowers are brought out to see the sun. This is especially true during the warmer months when grass tends to grow faster. When done correctly, mowing provides more than just cosmetic benefits. It can help control weeds, encourage deep root growth, recycle nutrients, and contribute to the overall durability and health of your lawn. While there will be slight mowing variations during different seasons, the following are some of the best practices to consider. 
Before Mowing, Know Your Grass Variety Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all height for all grass varieties. Each grass species will thrive at different heights due to their physiology. If your lawn consists of fine-bladed grass like Fine Fescue, then you can mow it shorter, while wide-leafed species like Broadleaf Carpet Grass require a little more height. You can cut fine-bladed grass to about an inch of mowing height, while wide-leafed species like St. Augustine grass need 3 to 4 inches to thrive. Sharpen Your Blade Before Mowing The last thing you want to do is mow your lawn using a blunt blade. When your mower blade is dull, the mowing action doesn’t cut the grass. Instead, it pulls on it till it tears. Likewise, you should ensure your mowing blade is properly installed, as that could have the same effect. Using a sharp mowing blade is important. A dull blade could injure the grass, opening up entry points for disease and insects. A clean cut using a sharp blade provides a healthier and even look for your grass. Set Your Mowing Height Another important mower setting you need to consider when landscaping is your mower deck height. While it is important to know the thriving height of your grass variety, the general rule is still to never cut more than a third of the grass blade when mowing. While a shorter lawn might be visually appealing, it would require frequent mowing to ensure the desired height is achieved without taking off more than a third of the plant. Furthermore, a shorter lawn will have more weed issues since it lacks the thicker canopy of longer lawns. The best bet is to set and maintain the mowing height all through the year, so long as it is not shorter than the grass variety needs to thrive. Mowing Should Be Done At The Right Intervals In order to achieve the right grass height, mowing should be done at the right time. While most people leave landscaping and mulching duties until the weekend, mowing should be done when the grass needs a trim, weekend or not. If your lawn is irrigated and heavily fertilized, it could be in its active growth stage. This means you might need to mow it at least twice a week. If your grass is suffering from drought or is in its dormant stage, then it doesn’t need to be mowed at all. Regardless of the grass stage, the one-third rule should be strictly adhered to. In addition, there might be certain seasons where you might not need to cut the grass at all. For instance, you might not have to mow during early spring. 
Mulching After Mowing Most people, after mowing, see lawn clippings as waste to be discarded. However, lawn clippings can prove useful when mulching. Lawn clippings and other organic matter are full of nutrients your lawn can utilize. Mulching can be a great way to utilize law clippings collected after mowing. Nevertheless, if your lawn has been left to grow too long or you have a lot of fallen leaves, it might be best to remove them to avoid smothering your lawn. Too much mulching material can negatively affect your lawn, creating a barrier that stops air and water from penetrating the soil. This can cause the roots to suffocate and die. Too much mulch can also create a hiding place for garden pests. Conclusion: Mowing is an essential part of maintaining an attractive and healthy yard. When you follow the best practices listed in this article, you achieve great looking results while promoting the vitality and health of your grass. Always remember that mowing should be done when the grass is dry, at the right height, and with sharp blades. Alternatively, you could hire a professional landscaping company like Divine to handle all the guesswork around mowing and mulching.
Before Mowing, Know Your Grass Variety Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all height for all grass varieties. Each grass species will thrive at different heights due to their physiology. If your lawn consists of fine-bladed grass like Fine Fescue, then you can mow it shorter, while wide-leafed species like Broadleaf Carpet Grass require a little more height. You can cut fine-bladed grass to about an inch of mowing height, while wide-leafed species like St. Augustine grass need 3 to 4 inches to thrive. Sharpen Your Blade Before Mowing The last thing you want to do is mow your lawn using a blunt blade. When your mower blade is dull, the mowing action doesn’t cut the grass. Instead, it pulls on it till it tears. Likewise, you should ensure your mowing blade is properly installed, as that could have the same effect. Using a sharp mowing blade is important. A dull blade could injure the grass, opening up entry points for disease and insects. A clean cut using a sharp blade provides a healthier and even look for your grass. Set Your Mowing Height Another important mower setting you need to consider when landscaping is your mower deck height. While it is important to know the thriving height of your grass variety, the general rule is still to never cut more than a third of the grass blade when mowing. While a shorter lawn might be visually appealing, it would require frequent mowing to ensure the desired height is achieved without taking off more than a third of the plant. Furthermore, a shorter lawn will have more weed issues since it lacks the thicker canopy of longer lawns. The best bet is to set and maintain the mowing height all through the year, so long as it is not shorter than the grass variety needs to thrive. Mowing Should Be Done At The Right Intervals In order to achieve the right grass height, mowing should be done at the right time. While most people leave landscaping and mulching duties until the weekend, mowing should be done when the grass needs a trim, weekend or not. If your lawn is irrigated and heavily fertilized, it could be in its active growth stage. This means you might need to mow it at least twice a week. If your grass is suffering from drought or is in its dormant stage, then it doesn’t need to be mowed at all. Regardless of the grass stage, the one-third rule should be strictly adhered to. In addition, there might be certain seasons where you might not need to cut the grass at all. For instance, you might not have to mow during early spring. Mulching After Mowing Most people, after mowing, see lawn clippings as waste to be discarded. However, lawn clippings can prove useful when mulching. Lawn clippings and other organic matter are full of nutrients your lawn can utilize. Mulching can be a great way to utilize law clippings collected after mowing. Nevertheless, if your lawn has been left to grow too long or you have a lot of fallen leaves, it might be best to remove them to avoid smothering your lawn. Too much mulching material can negatively affect your lawn, creating a barrier that stops air and water from penetrating the soil. This can cause the roots to suffocate and die. Too much mulch can also create a hiding place for garden pests. Conclusion: Mowing is an essential part of maintaining an attractive and healthy yard. When you follow the best practices listed in this article, you achieve great looking results while promoting the vitality and health of your grass. Always remember that mowing should be done when the grass is dry, at the right height, and with sharp blades. Alternatively, you could hire a professional landscaping company like Divine to handle all the guesswork around mowing and mulching.