Want a great-looking lawn? Here are the best lawn mowing practices!
So, what is the formula for success in the quest of a beautiful thick lush lawn?
There are many factors to a comprehensive turf care program,
• Fertilization programs,
• Irrigation,
• Disease prevention,
• Insect control
These 4 parts of proper lawn care maintenance can do a great deal to improve the quality of your grass, but proper mowing practices are perhaps the most effective techniques that are easily within your control to promote healthy turf.
Mowing techniques
The height at which you mow your tall fescue lawn is crucial.
Mowing it too short can create severe stress on the lawn, causing it to burn out, while creating an environment favorable for weeds to move in.
Cut it too tall, and the grass will look lain-over and unsightly.
Tall Fescue should be mowed at a height of 3.5” to 4” tall. Additionally, it’s crucial to mow the lawn as frequently as needed typically every 7-10 days. And remember, it’s never healthy for the turf if you cut more than 1/3 of the grass height at a time.
Keep your lawn mower blade sharp; a good rule of thumb is to sharpen your blades every 3 months if your lawn is ½ acre or less in size.
Mowing with dull blades will rip the grass blades making them susceptible to disease and insect feeding.
Mowing Pattern
We all get stuck in a routine; however, this may not be a good idea when it comes to mowing your lawn. Changing the pattern each time you mow is optimal.
Whether you are using a push mower or riding mower, the wheels can leave tracks; and when you take the same path each time you mow, you will wear tracks into the lawn.
A simple solution is to alternate directions:
• horizontal,
• vertical,
• even diagonal paths.
Perform these best practices for your mowing.
Then you can focus on the more challenging aspects of creating and maintaining a beautiful lawn.
Such as:
1. Fertilizing
2. Irrigation
3. Grass Selection
4. And insect control.
Cool season turfs such as Tall Fescue require more diligent care than warmer season turfs such as Bermuda and Zoysia. However, Tall Fescue, and similar turfs, have a lush green appearance more months out of the year. The additional investment of care is worth it for many homeowners who love a thick beautiful lawn. Call Taussig Landscape today for a free lawn maintenance quote.
