Proper Techniques for Mowing Your Lawn

Did you know that mowing your grass properly is just as important as watering or fertilizing if you want a healthy green lawn? That's right, there's more to mowing than just simply cutting the grass.

How High Should I Cut My Grass?

This is one of the most common questions when it comes to mowing. And the answer is simple: don't cut off more than 1/3 of the height of the existing grass. In other words, if your grass is 3 inches tall, don't cut more than an inch off. You should also keep the growing environment in mind. If you live in a hot or dry climate, it's better to keep your grass a little higher so the soil stays moist longer. Also, cutting your grass too short will make your lawn more susceptible to weeds.

Recommended Heights for Common Grass Types

How high you should cut your grass also depends on what type of grass you have. Here are the recommended heights for some common grass species:

• Bermuda: 1 to 2 inches


• Fescue, fine: 2-1/2 to 3 inches


• Fescue, tall: 2 to 4 inches


• Kentucky Bluegrass: 1-3/4 to 2-1/2 inches


• Ryegrass: 1-1/2 to 2 inches


• St. Augustine: 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 inches

How Often Should I Mow?

Your grass does not grow on a schedule, so neither should your mowing. Like getting a haircut, you should observe and determine the proper time to cut your lawn. How much and how well your grass grows depend a lot on the weather. Has it rained or been overcast a lot recently? The amount of sun and rain can definitely affect how often you get out that lawn mower. Just follow the 1/3 rule and the recommended cutting height for the grass specie you have and you should have no problem.

Another tip: the best time of day to mow during the summer is in the early evening. By then, the grass is dry and the weather has cooled down, so you won't be mowing in the scorching heat.

Keep the Blade Sharp

Keeping the mower blade sharp is very important. If you don't keep it sharp, it just tears the grass leaves instead of cutting them. Not only does it not look good, it will make your grass prone to disease. On average, you'll need to sharpen your mower blades 2 to 3 times per mowing season.

How to Properly Mow

As you begin, make sure to set the mower blade at the proper height. When mowing, overlap each pass by 2 to 3 inches so you have complete coverage. To prevent tire tracks, change up your mowing pattern and directions. For your safety, do not pull the mower, only push. You don't want to get accidentally run over by the lawn mower.

Knowing the proper mowing techniques is important if you want to have a good looking lawn. Let the above recommendations be your guide next time you mow your lawn.