When it comes to taking care of your lawn, one of the most important maintenance practices is also one of the most basic. Mowing. As the company that takes care of your lawn, you can count on us to apply the correct fertilizer and control products at the right time of year. In turn, we must count on you to properly mow your lawn. It’s important that we function as a team. Below are some tips to help you maintain your best lawn!

Height. When deciding on a mowing height the most important consideration is turfgrass type. Our recommendation for your lawn is: Fine Fescue 2″ – 2 1/2″, Kentucky Bluegrass 2″ – 2 1/2″, Ryegrass 2″ – 2 1/2″, and Tall Fescue 2 1/2″ – 3″. During the hottest months the higher cut grass is recommended; grass can be mowed shorter in the cooler months.

Timing. Determining when to mow should be based on the growth rate of the grass, not on the calendar. To keep your lawn looking it best, remove only about one-third of the lead blade each time you mow.

Another good practice is to change direction with each mowing. This keeps the turf growing in an erect upright position rather than leaning in the direction it was mowed. It also helps reduce turf wear and the possibility of scalping.

Sharp Blade. Making sure your rotary mower blade is sharp is probably the single most important requirement for proper mowing. A dull blade rips and shreds the grass instead of cutting it. Mowing with a dull edge makes the grass susceptible to several problems – such as brown leaf tips, diseases and insects. A good guideline for blade sharpening is to sharpen your rotary mower blade once each month. Try it! You’ll really notice the difference.

One more tip. During the summer months, it’s a good idea to water your lawn the day before you mow and then try to mow during the coolest part of the day. This minimizes the browning effect of summer mowing and decreases the time it takes the turf to heal.