Mowing at the proper height stimulates root development, improves photosynthesis, crowds out weeds and makes grass more resistant to disease. It also reduces the need for herbicides.
Changing weather patterns can make it difficult to predict when and how high to cut your lawn. Observing growth rates and mowing the lawn on a consistent schedule will help you get the best results. Contact Lawn Mowing Cape Girardeau for professional help.
The act of mowing stimulates root growth beneath the soil surface, a beneficial effect not only on the turf but also on surrounding planting. Maintaining specific grass heights can help promote healthy soils, and this is especially true when you don’t bag your clippings (also known as ‘grasscycling’). The process of mowing causes the grass to shed its leaves which decompose to return valuable nitrogen back into the ground, reducing the need for additional N fertilization.
For the best results from your lawn, mowing should be carried out at the right time of year and to the correct cutting height for your lawn type. In general, established lawns should be mowed weekly or fortnightly between March and October to keep them looking neat and tidy. A sodded lawn can be mowed much sooner, often after two weeks, while seeded lawns may need to wait until they are one-third of the recommended mowing height before the first cut.
Aim to mow when the weather is dry, as mowing wet grass can lead to clumping, poor cuts and damage to both the lawn and lawn mower. A wet lawn will also be less able to absorb nutrients and moisture from the soil, affecting its health and vitality.
Make sure your lawn mower blade is sharp and well adjusted to prevent shredding the grass leaf tips, which weakens the turf and increases the severity of foliar disease. It is also advisable to use an edging tool to define the edges between paved surfaces and the lawn, creating a clean and tidy look.
A laboratory soil test will provide valuable information on the proportion of sand, silt and clay that makeup your soil, guiding how you care for your garden. Soil with a high proportion of clay is likely to be more compacted, which reduces the amount of air space for roots and nutrient uptake. In these conditions, a root stimulator can be used to encourage healthy root development, helping plants to thrive in difficult conditions.
Denser Growth
Regular mowing promotes denser growth across the lawn. This allows the grass to better resist weeds, drought, foot traffic and soil erosion. It also helps it develop robust root systems that are able to extract water and nutrients from deeper in the soil, providing longevity even during hot summers or dry spells.
Lawns that are mowed at the right height have more resistance to insect pests as well, since the insects have a harder time feeding on the grasses when they’re above-ground. However, it is important to avoid over-mowing, as this can weaken the turf and make the lawn more susceptible to insect problems.
Mowing frequency can vary depending on seasonal weather patterns, so it’s important to observe your lawn and know its growth rate to determine how often it needs to be mowed. A good rule of thumb is to aim for weekly or fortnightly mowing in the summer months, and then reduce this to once per month during dormant periods. When mowing, it’s best to avoid doing so when the grass or soil is wet – this can damage the turf and wash pollutants from hard surfaces into storm drains. It’s also best to irrigate in the late night through early morning, as this minimizes water runoff and promotes more efficient water absorption.
Reduced Weed Growth
In the spring, when a lawn wakes up from the dreary, overcast days of winter and is stimulated by the first rays of sun, its first instinct is to grab as much sunlight as possible through photosynthesis. To do so, grass grows taller, opening up long, fat blades that grab the sunlight like solar panels. Keeping your lawn regularly mowed encourages this growth and helps minimize environments that promote pest breeding.
When you mow your lawn at a consistent height, it also encourages denser turf and discourages weeds because there are fewer open spaces for them to take hold. In addition, mowing at the correct height helps prevent diseases from taking hold in your lawn. When a lawn is consistently mowed at the proper height, it is also less susceptible to damage from insects and drought conditions.
Weeds can be controlled with a variety of strategies, including identifying them and using pre-emergent herbicides, but mowing is one of the most important tools you have. Regularly mowing your lawn helps to prevent the development of weed seed and the spread of weeds into cultivated areas.
Proper mowing also prevents some perennial weeds, such as established johnsongrass, by preventing them from developing flower heads that can spread seeds. A weekly mowing is usually adequate to keep these weeds from maturing and seeding, especially when combined with other weed control strategies.
Watering your lawn at the correct time of day can help, too. Early morning is the best time to water because it gives the lawn a chance to retain moisture instead of wasting it through evaporation.
When you do see weeds growing, it’s crucial to pull them immediately to avoid them getting a foothold in your soil. Weeds that are allowed to mature and develop roots can steal nutrients from your grass, so it’s important to pull them as soon as they appear. For this reason, it’s a good idea to have a bag or a container nearby to collect any weeds you pull as you go. Then, dispose of them properly to prevent weeds from spreading.
Reduced Soil Erosion
Soil erosion is a global issue that can wreak havoc on your home lawn, leaving unsightly bare spots. Thankfully, there are some easy ways to prevent soil erosion on your property and help your grass grow deeper roots.
Maintaining the proper mowing height helps stabilize the soil structure and protect the topsoil layer from washout. In addition, regular mowing promotes denser grass growth that acts as a barrier against erosion by soaking up rainfall instead of letting it run off the property.
Directional mowing patterns like mowing in a circle, diagonal, or cross-cutting help reduce thatch buildup while improving soil aeration and drainage. Thatch is a layer of organic matter that builds up in the lawn from dead grass, leaves, and other debris. While a thin layer of thatch can be beneficial, excessive thatch is harmful as it blocks water, air, and nutrient penetration. Healthy, organic microbial populations can naturally decompose thatch, but it may also benefit from core aeration or blackstrap molasses to speed up the process.
Avoid scalping by mowing at the recommended height for your grass type and cutting with sharp blades that are regularly replaced. When possible, cut the lawn when it’s dry to avoid clumping. Changing mower blades on a regular basis can also minimize damage by ensuring that the blades are properly aligned and sharp for clean cuts.
Keep pets and children off the lawn when it’s being mowed. This will prevent them from getting caught in the rotating blades. In addition, be sure to wear safety gear when using a lawnmower.
Keeping your yard tidy and well-maintained can also minimize areas where pests like ticks and mosquitoes breed. In addition to mowing, regularly raking and removing clippings can help minimize environments conducive to pest breeding.
Minimizing water soil erosion is an inexpensive and effective way to improve your lawn’s health and resiliency. Erosion damages soil health by thinning the A horizon or topsoil, exposing less productive subsoil. Running water can also sort and degrade soil components, such as sand, silt, and clay, reducing its ability to absorb water.
