Question:
What is the best way to mow the lawn?
Leave the clippings
Leaving your grass clippings on the lawn is actually a good thing. As the grass clippings decompose they add valuable nitrogen to the soil - almost 2 pounds per 1000 square feet each season. As well they add organic matter and other benefits to the soil that will actually make your lawn healthier. Make sure you mow frequently, and remove no more than 1/3rd of the leaf blade with each mowing. LUCKIE
Cool and dry
Mow when it's cool and dry. After the morning dew dries off is the best time for the grass--it isn't suffering afternoon heat stress but it isn't so damp that grass clumps form. Late afternoon or early evening following a morning watering is just as good.
Alternate your pattern
Lawns that are mowed frequently can develop ruts from mower wheels, especially if you have a large, heavy tractor or rider. When you mow, alternate your pattern. Mow once traveling horizontally across the lawn. The next time, travel vertically. If you really want to get fancy and impress the neighbors, travel diagonally on the third mowing and diagonally from the opposite corner the fourth time.
grass clippings and thatch
There is a wide spread belief that leaving the grass clippings on your lawn contributes to thatch - dead or dying grass parts that prevent moisture and oxygen from reaching plant roots. But the truth is that the just opposite is true. Fresh clippings stimulate earthworm activity which breaks down the thatch.
Mow at full throttle
Your mower's engine drives the blade with the right amount of energy when it is used at full throttle. You do not save gas by slowing the engine down. In fact, the bogging and slowing down this causes probably uses more gas than if you ran the engine efficiently.
Mowing Centipede
Centipede prefers mowing to about 2 inches in full sun, 3 inches in part shade. Centipede forms a poor turf in full shade and should not be planted there. When you mow Centipede, your goal is to have the target height after having removed only 1/3rd of the grass with each mowing. So if your Centipede is in full sun, you should wait until it reaches 3 inches and remove 1 inch. If it's growing in part shade, wait until the grass reaches about 4-1/2 inches, and remove about 1-1/2 inches. Keep your mower blade razor sharp!
Wear your safety gear
You don't look stupid when you wear safety glasses and sturdy, non-slip shoes. You look like a professional, and a smart one at that.
Mowing Tall Fescue
Tall Fescue prefers mowing to 3 inches in full sun, 3-1/2 to 4 inches in shade. When you mow Tall Fescue, your goal is to have the target height after having removed only 1/3rd of the grass with each mowing. So if your Tall Fescue lawn is in full sun, you should wait until it reaches 4-1/2 inches and remove 1-1/2 inches. If it's growing in shade, wait until the grass reaches about 5-1/2 inches, and remove about 1-3/4 to 2 inches. Keep your mower blade razor sharp!
Mow at the right pace
I know the ball game starts in 30 minutes, but you can't run through the yard with the lawn mower. Take your time and do it right--let the mower do the job you bought it to do. Not only is rushing it going to give you an ugly cut, you could seriously injure yourself.
Mowing Zoysia
Zoysia prefers mowing to 1 to 1-1/4 inches in full sun and between 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 in part sun to part shade. When you mow Zoysia, your goal is to have the target height after having removed only 1/3rd of the grass with each mowing. So if your Zoysia is in full sun, you should wait until it reaches 1-3/4 inches and remove just over 1/2 inch. If it's growing in shade, wait until the grass reaches about 2-1/2 inches and remove just over 3/4 inch. Keep your mower blade razor sharp!
The Rumble
Most properly designed mulching mowers make a rumbling sound as they move over new grass. This is completely normal and is no cause for alarm. By all means, inspect your equipment if you hear something funny--but if you recently purchased a mulching mower and the only thing you've heard that worries you is the rumble, relax with the knowledge that the equipment is working exactly as it was designed.
Mowing St. Augustine
St. Augustine prefers mowing to 3 inches in full sun, 3-1/2 to 4 inches in shade. When you mow St. Augustine, your goal is to have the target height after having removed only 1/3rd of the grass with each mowing. So if your St. Augustine is in full sun, you should wait until it reaches 4-1/2 inches and remove 1-1/2 inches. If it's growing in shade, wait until the grass reaches about 5-1/2 inches, and remove about 1-3/4 to 2 inches. Keep your mower blade razor sharp!
Mowing Common Bermuda
Common Bermuda prefers mowing to 1 to 1-1/4 inches in full sun. Bermuda forms a very poor turf in any shade and should not be planted there. When you mow Common Bermuda, your goal is to have the target height after having removed only 1/3rd of the grass with each mowing. So if your Bermuda is in full sun, you should wait until it reaches 2-1/4 inches and remove about 3/4 inch. Keep your mower blade razor sharp!
Mowing Hybrid Bermuda
Mowing the hybrid Bermuda varieties requires specific knowledge about the growth and mowing requirements of the variety or varieties you have in your lawn. If you are unsure about the type of Bermuda you have, ASK SOMEONE! You should have the variety identified by a qualified turfcare professional or your Cooperative Extension Service. Mowing these grasses also requires the use of specialized equipment. Ordinary rotary mowers are ill-suited to mowing most hybrid Bermuda varieties. Pardon the pun, but a $140 red ranger from the discount garden center won't cut it. You will ruin the turf in one season. To properly maintain your hybrid Bermuda, you'll need a reel mower. A power reel mower can be bought from lawn and garden equipment dealers who cater to turf managers and groundskeepers. A reel mower like the one your grandfather used to mow his grass with can be had for the same price as the red ranger, but you'll have to look around. If you don't have the money for the power equipment and you don't have the energy to mow your hybrid Bermuda with a old-fashioned reel mower, you'll either have to hire someone to mow your lawn, or replace the grass with something you can mow yourself.
Lawn Frequently Asked Questions
What are the DOīs and DONTīs of Lawn Care?
What kind of grass should I plant?
What is the best way to mow the lawn?
How do I get stripes like ballparks do?
What kind of weed is this? How do I get rid of it?
Why has my well manicured lawn has been invaded by disease?
What are some common lawn problems?
Do you have any tips for professionals?
What kind of bug is this? How do I get rid of it?
What are some common lawn problems?
Why is my grass not doing well?
How do I start a new lawn using seed?
How do I get rid of mushrooms?
How can I make the transition between driveway and entry more pleasant
How do I permanently rid my lawn of weeds?
How do I treat a lawn disease?
What are some common lawn problems?
Can I use Weed and Feed on my lawn?
How can I control the growth of my lawnīs grass?
What is the best way to mow the lawn?
Why did my grass turn brown after I fertilized?
Whatīs the best way to mow the lawn quickly?
Why is my grass not doing well?
Can I fertilize without adding a lot of chemicals?
How can I put a waterfall in my rock garden?
How do I treat a lawn disease?
Can I analyze the soil with a kit?
When is the best time to plant trees?
Why should I mulch my clippings?
Which existing plants should I keep?
Can my property be too wet for a good lawn?
Is it best to plant trees before or after shrubs?
Can I fertilize without adding a lot of chemicals?
What are guidelines for where to plant a tree?
What seed should I plant for the best results?
Where do I start to prune a garden?
What does too much pruning do?
Where should I put my water garden?
What are the benefits of pruning?
Whatīs the best way to prune spruce trees?
Where can I get a soil analysis?
How do you remove soft growth from fruit trees?
How thick a branch will pruners trim?
What should I look for when buying loppers?
What tools do I need for pruning?
How can i reduce landscape maintenance?
What material should I use for my pond?
What can I do about sandy soil?
How can I prevent fungus in a shady garden?
Why did my grass turn brown after I fertilized?
Should I build a large or small pool?
Why are there more fungi in the shady parts of the garden?
How much should I water a shade garden?
How can I prevent plant fungi?
How does pruning keep trees healthy?
What soil should I use for shade gardening?
What advantages are there to shade gardening?
What is next after planting cedars for a hedge?
