Mowing Your Lawn
Lawn More Maintenance Mowing affects all the
components of turf grass quality. Density, texture, color,
uniformity, and smoothness. Improper mowing can have
dramatic effects on turf grass rooting, which in turn affects
shoot growth and ultimately total turf quality. Weeds and
diseases can be influenced by mowing as well as the turf’s
tolerance to high and low temperature stress and its ability
to withstand traffic can influence weeds and diseases. In
other words, poor mowing practices can completely negate
the best fertilizer, irrigation, or overall management
program.
Mowing Frequency
The rule of thumb is to mow frequently enough so that you
are never removing more than 1/3rd of the leaf blade when
mowing. This may mean mowing every 4-5 days during
times of high turf growth.
Mowing Height
Mowing height is determined mainly by the type of turf
species you have. The following chart is a guideline for
common turf species in Oklahoma.
Turf Type Mowing Height
Common Bermudagrass 1 – 2.5″
U-3 Hybrid Bermudagrass .75 – 2.5″
Tiff Type Bermudagrass .5 – 1.5″
Zoysiagrass .75 – 2.5″
St. Augustine 2.5 – 3.5″
Tall Fescue 2 – 3.5″
Ryegrass 1 – 2″
Scalping a dormant warm-season lawn is sometimes
beneficial if done in early April. This involves mowing as
short as possible and removing dead clippings, allowing
the turf to green-up faster in the spring. Never scalp a
cool-season lawn. Fescue cannot tolerate a short mowing
height as bermuda grass can.
Grasscycling
Grasscycling or mulching is when clippings are left on the
turf to decompose naturally. We highly recommend this
practice, since it returns valuable nutrients to the soil and
is better for the environment also. If there are times when
you cannot keep up with mowing frequency and the grass
is very high, do not leave excess clippings on the turf in
this case.
Mow with a Sharp Blade
A dull blade will tear up the grass blade, giving your turf a
rough appearance and increasing disease problems.
Sharpen you blade several times during the season for
best results.
Making Your Neighborhood
More Beautiful!
GENTRY LAWNCARE
215 The Green Way
Tool, TX 75143
903-880-7898
Making Your Neighborhood More Beautiful!