Maintaining a lush, green lawn is a priority for many people. What they don’t know is that their mowing practices may actually be damaging their grass in multiple ways. It doesn’t matter what type of grass is seeded or how hardy it’s supposed to be, employing correct practices will help it thrive.
Sharp Blades
Sharp blades are key to ensure cuts are clean. Dull blades rip and tear blades of grass. Blades need to be replaced or sharpened if the cut ends appear ragged. The grass tips will also appear gray where they were cut. Lawn grass that’s been ripped rather than cut is highly susceptible to disease, along with insect infestations.
Direction
Alter the direction in which you mow. You may have worked out a method for mowing that minimizes the number of passes you have to make. Mowing in the same direction each time can create ruts in the soil. When you mow in the same direction each time, grass is bent in a single direction and inconsistencies in length can occur.
Mow Weekly
When your lawn receives enough moisture, it will typically grow enough each week to warrant being mowed. Be aware of the needs of the variety planted.
Height Matters
- Each species of grass has an optimal length that it should be kept. The University of Florida recommends the following:
- Bahia grass – 3 to 4 in.
- Bermuda grass – 5 to 5.5 in.
- Carpet grass – 1.5 to 2 in.
- Centipede grass – 1.5 to 2 in.
- St. Augustine grass – 2.5 to 4 in
- Zoysia grass – 1 to 3 in.
Water, Fertilizer and Weed Control
The average lawn only needs 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week to thrive during the growing season. Choose a slow-release fertilizer and apply appropriately to prevent burning the lawn. Dig up weeds by hand and use caution when applying weed killer.
Hire a Professional
If you don’t have the time or don’t feel confident about the many tasks associated with a lush lawn, hire a professional lawn service. They can install irrigation if needed. The experts will know how much fertilizer to apply and when, the appropriate methods to deal with insect pests, and can install irrigation.
Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate