Are You Mowing Correctly?

There is a lot more to mowing your lawn than simply trying to make it look good. Mowing is a pruning process. If done correctly, mowing should increase the density of your lawn and decrease the presence of weeds. Before you consider yourself a pro on cutting your grass, be sure to consider these rules for proper mowing:

• Height Matters: There is such a thing is cutting your grass too short or leaving it too long. You need to find out what type of turf you have and mow at the proper height. In general, stick to the 1/3 rule, which means never cutting more than 1/3 of the grass blade length at any one time.
• Climate Matters: The best time to mow is when your grass is dry. However, you should avoid cutting grass in the heat of the day, as it can cause heat stress to your lawn. In addition, try to leave shaded areas of grass at a higher length since these grasses are often competing with tree roots for nutrients. Lastly, be sure to reduce the number of times you mow in cooler temps and mow your lawn more when the weather is warm.
• Technique Matters: It is a good idea to change up your mowing pattern each time you mow, as this helps the grass to grow more upright. Also, if you have grass clippings, make sure they are discarded in the area that you have already mowed. Leaving them on the lawn can also recycle nutrients and nitrogen to your lawn.
• Mower Maintenance Matters: Your lawnmower needs proper tune-up and maintenance in order to do its job. Be sure your mower blades are sharp and balanced – a cleaner cut means less chances of disease and pests on your lawn.

Beyond the above tips for a healthy, well-cut lawn, you will need to follow your turf’s fertilizing schedule. If you need help in determining what guidelines apply to your specific type of grass, call a professional. Pannone’s Lawn Pros & Landscaping offers a full service lawn care, including year-round maintenance as well as one-time yard cleanup services.