How Should I Be Mowing My Grass?
If you’re a brand new homeowner, maintaining your lawn is likely one of the first tasks on your long list. Whether you choose to work with the lawn that’s already there or start fresh, you’ll need to know how to correctly mow your grass.
There are multiple details to keep in mind when properly mowing your grass. What time of day you mow, the pattern that you cut, and maintenance for your mower are just a few of these details. Additionally, the type of grass that’s on your lawn will also affect the way in which you mow.
Our effective mowing tips below will provide you with the right information you need to maintain healthy and beautiful grass in your lawn.
Mow at the Right Time of Day
Many people often think about the current weather or outside conditions when considering mowing their lawn, however, mowing it when it’s most convenient for you might not always be the best move. Mowing too early in the morning will likely have you mowing over wet grass which should be avoided at all costs. When grass is mowed while it’s wet, it can cause unnecessary strain and harm to your mower, lead to an uneven cut of the grass, or even leave you with large clumps of grass left behind after a mow that prevents grass from growing in that spot.
Mowing in the afternoon when temperatures are at their highest is a better option, but still not the top choice. Grass will be dryer than in the mid-morning, leading to a more even cut and fewer large clumps post-mow. However, after the mow, the freshly mowed grass will be exposed to higher temperatures, which may lead to the grass becoming dehydrated.
With all that being said, the best time of day to mow is late evening. By then, the grass is dry (unless it rained earlier in the day) and the grass will have ample time to recover before the heart of the next day.
Choose the Correct Height For Your Grass
In addition to mowing during the right part of the day, cutting grass at the proper height is extremely important. Cutting off too much grass- generally known as scalping- can cause damage over time to the grass and the lawn in general. Low grass provides weeds a better opportunity to break through, makes it easier for pests to invade, and more. To further complicate things, the height at which you should mow your grass varies based on the type of grass you have.
Generally, a safe rule is to never cut more than 1/3 of the length of the grass in a single mow. However, this guideline differs slightly for each type of grass.
Listed below are some types of grass and the recommended height that the grass should be kept to:
- St. Augustine: Generally 3-4 inches; Some varieties such as Seville (2-2.5 inches) and Palmetto (1.5-2.5 inches) should be kept at lower heights.
- Zoysia: Between 1-2 inches
- Bermudagrass: .5-1 inch
- Bahia: 3-4 inches
- Kentucky Bluegrass: 2.5-3 inches
If you’re not sure what type of grass you have and what height you should maintain, a landscaping professional, like Duda Sod, will be able to assist you.
Change Your Mowing Routine
Humans naturally tend to operate in set routines and for many, mowing the lawn tends to fall into a routine. A mowing routine can refer to how often the grass is mowed as well as the pattern in which you mow the lawn. Both of these routines can be detrimental to the growth and long-term health of a lawn.
Mowing your grass on a set schedule, weekly, or bi-weekly, for example, doesn’t account for weather variables that affect the grass. Increases or decreases in rain, sunlight, and more will affect how often your grass actually needs to be mowed. For example, more rain and sunlight during the Spring or Summer will likely require more frequent mows than other times of the year. Sticking to your schedule despite changes that require more or less mowing will lead to your grass not getting the attention it deserves.
Similarly, mowing the grass in the same pattern and direction each time can also be troublesome. This can cause your grass to grow back at the same angle each time, leading to a less than stellar appearance for your lawn. Sunlight and moisture are also not distributed appropriately when a similar mowing pattern is used.
Starting Over Fresh
If it’s too late for your lawn and you need a fresh start, installing sod is a great choice. If you’re looking for a sod farm in Orlando, Duda Sod is your top choice. Our family-owned company provides premium, high-quality sod options to meet your needs. We offer multiple varieties of premium St. Augustine sod, Zoysia sod, Bahiagrass, and more. If you’re ready to have your lawn looking beautiful today, contact us to get started.