Lawn mowers have sure been buzzing as of late! Mowing is a fundamental practice in maintaining a good lawn. Correct mowing produces a neat, even, well-groomed appearance that is a source of personal pride and satisfaction. A lawn’s density, vigor, water consumption, weed infestation and resistance to weather stress is largely affected by how it is mowed. The effectiveness of all other lawn maintenance — fertilizing, watering and weed control — depends on proper mowing.
Mowing at the proper height is critical to the development of a healthy lawn. Grass species have different growth habits. Set the mower at the right height for the species of grass you are mowing.
Cool-season grasses such as bluegrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass are mowed higher than warm-season grasses because of their erect growth habit. Because hot weather is stressful for cool-season grasses, they should be cut at the higher end of their tolerance range during the summer. The additional height helps insulate the ground against heat, furnishes more food-producing area, and encourages roots to penetrate more deeply into the soil. Stay within the tolerance range or the grass may become coarse, stemmy, and may lodge.
Mowing too low during hot weather places cool-season grasses under stress and leads to excessive watering. If done repeatedly, infrequent, short mowing produces thin, weak turf that is highly susceptible to weeds. Avoid a drastic or sudden reduction in cutting height (scalping), which seriously diminishes root growth.
Recommended mowing heights for lawns:
Bermudagrass 1–2 inches
Bluegrass 2–3 1/2 inches
Buffalograss 2–3 inches
Perennial ryegrass 2–3 inches
Tall fescue 2 1/2–3 1/2 inches
Zoysiagrass 1–2 inches
If you would like to learn more about care of your tall fescue lawn join us on May 6 at 6:30 PM to learn about how to really take care of your tall fescue lawn at the Newton Public Library. This program is free but you must register by calling (316) 284-6930 or emailing [email protected].
