Want a great looking lawn? Here are the best lawn mowing practices

Want a Greener Lawn?
If you said of course, then you need to check out these great lawn care tips!!!So What is the formula for success in the quest of a beautiful thick lush lawn?

There are many facets 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.... drum roll!!!

If you want a greener lawn
Start with these lawn mowing practices:

One of the most important practices in lawn care is proper lawn mowing practices. 

Proper mowing practices are perhaps the most effective techniques that are easily within your control to promote healthy turf.

There are many varieties of turf,  if you live in the Atlanta Georgia area, fescue and Bermuda turf will be predominant, and if you live in St. Petersburg Florida, then St Augustine turf will be predominant. 

But, regardless of where you live the best mowing practices are largely the same. 

Mowing Blade Height

The height at which perform your lawn mowing for 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 turf 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 is may not be a good idea when it comes to mowing your lawn.

Changing the pattern you take 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 in tracks into the lawn.

A simple solution is to alternate directions:

• horizontal
• vertical
• even diagonal paths

Clippings: Bag, Discharge, or Mulch

You may have wondered if you should be bagging your grass or not, and that's a great question!

For grasses in most regions, bagging in the spring and fall is optimal.

This reduces thatch and leaves an overall neater appearance. This requires a bit more work. As bagging and clippings and disposal takes additional time. However, it will yield a better result. 

During the summer months when tall fescue turf is not growing as vigorously, mulching and/or discharging the grass will be sufficient. But here's the deal, you may have to make additional passes to evenly distribute clippings for a neat appearance. Over-mulching of clippings while the Tall Fescue turf is growing strong in the spring and fall will be counter-productive. This will cause the thatch build up can choke out the healthy turf. And can also impede new seed germination in the fall.

Optimizing the way you mow the lawn is one of the easiest ways you can increase your chances of success for a beautiful Tall Fescue lawn.

If you are using a professional service. You will want to observe, and direct how they are mowing each week. Many services do not automatically perform best practices for mowing. And perhaps, make sure you confirm how often they are sharpening their blades. 

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.

Some Quick Points on Lawn Care in the South East.

Though Bermuda and Zoysia grass also grow in the upper southeast, however, are not as popular due to fact that they go dormant each year around mid-fall and remain unattractive and dormant until May. 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. So the additional investment of care is worth it for many homeowners who love a thick beautiful lawn.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ideal Mowing Height for a Lush Lawn?

The ideal mowing height varies by grass type. For Tall Fescue, maintaining a height of 3.5 to 4 inches is optimal. Adjusting the mowing height according to your specific turf type is crucial for achieving a lush, healthy lawn.

How often should I sharpen my lawn mower blade?

Sharpen your mower blade at least once per mowing season, or after about 25 hours of use, to ensure clean cuts and a healthy lawn.

Should I leave grass clippings on my lawn?

Yes, as long as they're not clumping, leave clippings on the lawn to decompose and naturally fertilize the grass.

Why is it Important to Change Mowing Patterns?

Alternating mowing patterns (horizontal, vertical, and diagonal) prevents soil compaction and wear patterns in your lawn. This practice promotes more even grass growth and contributes to the overall health of your lawn.

Should I Bag, Mulch, or Discharge My Grass Clippings?

The best approach depends on the season. In spring and fall, bagging is preferred to reduce thatch buildup. During summer, mulching or discharging can provide additional nutrients to your lawn, though even distribution is key for a neat appearance.

How Can I Prevent My Lawn Mower from Damaging My Grass?

Keeping your mower blade sharp is essential to prevent tearing the grass, which can make it susceptible to disease and pests. Sharpen your mower blades every three months for lawns up to ½ acre to ensure clean cuts.

Best lawn mowing practices (TL;DR)