Optimizing Your Mowing Practices to Get the Most Out of Your Lawn

As I like to say, our treatment programs are best utilizied as "another tool in your tool box". Meaning that without proper care and practices on your end, your lawn can only acheive so much. In this article I will detail everything you should do related to mowing to get the most bang for your buck and acheive the lawn of your dreams.

Mowing Height

One of the most debated topics in lawn care is mowing height. Should you mow low in the spring and high in the summer? Does mowing height even really matter? There's a lot of discussion about mowing heights and practices, and while everyone has their opinions, here is the safest approach that has been shown to transform a good lawn into a great one.

The safest approach is to maintain a consistent cutting height of 3.5" - 4". This has been proven to provide the most benefits to your lawn. It allows for higher soil moisture content, leading to prolonged greening during drought conditions and stronger disease resistance. Moreover, a taller, thicker lawn significantly reduces the successful germination of weeds.

Another aspect to consider is the volume of the leaf blade in taller grass. Imagine each grass blade as a solar panel. By keeping your lawn at 2 inches instead of 4 inches, you reduce the grass blade's potential energy absorption by 50%. This hinders the lawn from developing a robust root system capable of reaching deep for nutrients and moisture, especially during summer stress.

We recommend reducing your cutting height only during the last weeks of fall. Gradually decrease the grass height to a maximum of 3 inches during this season. This is crucial for preventing snow mold throughout the winter months.

Fun Fact: A lawns root system is typically 3-4 times longer than the grass blades height.

Mowing Direction

One strategy you can incorporate into your lawn care routine is varying the direction in which you mow the grass each week. This is crucial for achieving a lush and green lawn. Many homeowners tend to mow along the same path every week, which can result in poor turf conditions and make the lawn susceptible to diseases.

The most beneficial way to mow your lawn is to change the direction each week, alternating between two patterns. For instance, you might mow from the patio to the woodline one week and then switch to mowing from side to side or from neighbor to neighbor the next week. This prevents the grass from being flattened by the mower tires repeatedly. Moreover, if you don’t bag your grass clippings, leaving uneven mower discharge each week contributes to an irregular and excessive thatch layer. This uneven thatch layer leads to inconsistent absorption of nutrients and water, hindering the uniform appearance of your lawn.

Additionally, using a ride-on mower or a heavier commercial-grade walk-behind mower without frequently altering your mowing patterns will lead to the formation of ruts in your lawn. This occurs from consistently driving over the same area, causing soil compaction week after week. Over time, these ruts become noticeable and can appear unattractive in your lawn.

Pro Tip: Never cut more than 1/3 of the entire glass blades lenght at once and never cut your lawn with dull blades. This may cause browning in your lawn and opens the door to lawn diseases such as leaf spot.

Mower Blade Sharpening

Finally, consider the blades of your lawn mower. They play a crucial role in maintaining the health of your lawn. Sharp and balanced blades not only benefit your lawn but also extend the life of your mower. Using dull blades doesn't cut the grass properly; instead, it tears it. This can lead to various problems, including an unattractive look and potential lawn diseases.

As a homeowner, we suggest sharpening your blades at least twice a year: once at the start of the season and again halfway through the growing season. If you own a larger property, it might be beneficial to have your blades sharpened on a monthly basis. Most lawn mower dealers and repair shops offer blade sharpening services. If you find yourself needing to sharpen your mower blades frequently, it may be wise to invest in your own blade sharpening equipment and handling it yourself.

Furthermore, it's crucial to ensure your blades are balanced after every sharpening. You can achieve this by hammering a nail into a wall in your garage and hanging the blade on the nail. If the blade is unbalanced, it will tilt to one side. To fix this, keep sharpening the heavier side until the blade hangs evenly without leaning. Performing this step after each sharpening is essential. An unbalanced blade can cause increased vibration under the mower's deck, potentially shortening the lifespan of the mower's engine and spindles significantly.

In Summary

• Keep your lawn maintained at a height of 3.5"-4". Feel free to go a bit higher.

  
  

• Develop two different directions to mow your lawn in and switch patterns weekly

  
  

• Sharpen mower blades at least twice a year if not more often

  
  

• Keep your mower blades balanced

I hope you find the information in this article helpful and move a few steps closer to achieving the lawn of your dreams. As always, feel free to contact Green View if there is ever anything we can help with.

Thanks for reading, and be sure to check back often for new articles on how you can achieve a better lawn.

Hunter Petit

President

Green View Lawn Fertilization