Often delegated to the nearest teenager looking for some extra cash,
mowing might seem like a goof-proof chore. But, truth is, lawns that are
properly mowed are actually healthier and more beautiful.
A properly mowed lawn is thicker and has deeper roots, making it more
durable and better equipped to combat weeds, insects, and diseases.
Alternately, mowing
mistakes can result in discolored grass tips, brown spots, and even
damage to the lawn.
The most common
mowing mistakes are mowing too infrequently and cutting grass too short.
Here are their tips on proper mowing technique:
Experts
report that the most common mowing mistakes are mowing too infrequently
and cutting grass too short. Here are their tips on proper mowing
technique:
Avoid Scalping
Letting grass grow tall and then removing more than 1/3 of the leaf
blade is called "scalping" and can damage the lawn. Mowing
grass extremely low can also damage the lawn by cutting into the crowns
of the plants.
Sharpen Blades
Make sure your mower blades are sharp in order to cut cleanly. Dull
blades can shred grass and cause discoloration at the tips because
frayed grass blades lose moisture easily. Sharpen the blades of rotary
mowers several times each growing season. Reel type mowers usually only
require sharpening once a year, but adjust them to ensure they cut
cleanly. Some grass species have tough blades, which causes blades to
wear quickly.
Be Gentle with Damaged Grass
Raise the mower height a notch or two when mowing a lawn that's
recovering from drought, insect damage or disease.
Use Your Grass Clippings
Recycle grass clippings to reduce water loss, lower soil temperatures,
and return nutrients to the soil. Plus, you'll save the trouble of
bagging and keep clippings out of our already-clogged landfills. In
fact, many communities will no longer accept grass clippings in
household trash.
Don't Cut Wet or Wilted Grass
Avoid cutting wet grass, which can cause brown spots because
clippings clump together and smother your lawn. Cutting wilted grass,
particularly during the hottest part of the day, can also cause severe
damage to your lawn.
Know When to Mow
The best guide for mowing frequency is the growth of your
grass. Plan to cut less than one-third of the grass blade in one mowing.
Keep in mind that certain grasses, such as bermudagrass, zoysiagrass and
centipedegrass, require close mowing to stay healthy. Allowing these
grasses to grow too high will promote thatch development.
So You Miss a Mowing
During periods of rapid growth, lawns may require mowing as frequently
as every three to four days. Of course, sometimes we just don't have
time to mow as often as we'd like. If your grass has grown too high,
reset your mower to its highest cutting level. Three or four days later,
reset the mower to cut at the normal height and mow your grass again.
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