Monday April 11th, 2011

Most people don't realize how much proper lawn care and mowing contributes to the overall health and appearance of their home lawn. Therefore, let's take a look at some of the mowing basics that will provide you with the best possible results:

• Lawn care with mowers provide, instead of a clean "scissor cut", a rotary-mower "whacks" the grass blade off.   Therefore, it is especially important to keep rotary mower blades very sharp.  Remember to balance the blade if you sharpen it yourself.
  
  
• "Mow grass in the coolest part of the day for the cleanest cut."
  Grass blades are more turgid when they aren't under heat stress (Example: summer afternoons).  However, dew interferes with good early-morning mowing, especially if you are mulching your clippings, so evenings are usually best.  Also remember that "wet grass conditions" will aid in the spread of turfgrass disease pathogens that are already present on your lawn.
  
  
• "The longer the grass, the deeper the root." 
  This saying reminds us to cut turfgrass at the highest setting possible.   2-1/2 to 3 inches is the ideal height for most home lawns.  Grass growing in the shade needs to be cut as long as possible, since it needs more leaf area to intercept limited light.
  
  
• "Never remove more than 1/3 of the height of the grass at a time." (Example: If you are mowing your lawn at 3 inches, always cut it before it gets beyond 4-1/2 inches in height)
  
  
• Mulching your clippings helps return nutrients to the soil.  Try to mow often enough, and under the right conditions, so that clumps of grass aren't left on the lawn.  Under "thick thatch" conditions it is probably advisable to bag your clippings.  Clean your mower deck after mowing.
  
  
• Don't refuel mowing equipment on the lawn in case there is a spill.
  
  
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