Highlands Ranch Aeration
Mowing Tips
We offer a full line of lawn and sprinkler care services
Keep Your Lawn Looking Green and Beautiful With a Sharp Mower Blade and These Tips.
The University of Nebraska conducted a study comparing the effect on lawns when they are cut by lawnmowers with sharp rotary mower blades versus dull mower blades. In the study, Kentucky bluegrass lawn turf was mowed using sharp and dull mower blades. The Results of the Study:
- Dull Mower Blades Reduced Lawn Quality. When Dull Mower blades were used, researchers noted the increase in leaf spot disease. They also found a reduced shoot density and less green vegetation. Brown tip is common when the grass blade is not cut clean with a sharp mower blade, and the grass blade turns brown.
- Sharp Mower Blades Supports Overall Lawn Health. A clean mower cut permitted vigorous recovery after mowing. Grass cut with a sharp mower blade also required less water compared to lawn-grasses cut with a dull mower blade.
- 22% More Gasoline was used by mowers equipped with a dull mower blade.
- Recommended to have your mower blades sharpened at least every spring and first of June, or monthly depending on size of lawn. Heavy spring lawn growth and mowing your lawn while still wet can dull a mower blade quickly. Check your mower blades every other mowing to keep your lawn looking green and beautiful.
Cutting Your Lawn
5 Steps To A Great Lawn
- Adjust mower height for your grass type. In Colorado, 99% of our lawns are Kentucky Bluegrass. Kentucky Bluegrass should be mowed at 2-1/2” to 3” in height. Generally, this means you should have your mower on the middle setting for spring and fall clean-up. Then raise the mower height setting every few weeks until your mower is at the highest setting for a 3” height during hot dry summer months. This is the NUMBER ONE Problem I see with lawns during the hot summer months of July and August. I PROMISE, your lawn will have darker green color, less heat stress, and use less water, when you mow at these higher settings.
- Keep Lawn mower blade sharp. A sharp and balanced mower blade will make your job easier and prolong the life of your lawn mower. Sharp mower blade also helps to prevent brown tip at the cut of the grass blade.
- Mow regularly. Never cut off more than 1/3 of the grass blade during a single cutting. If your grass is taller than normal, adjust your mower height to the highest setting and cut the lawn higher than normal. Cut your lawn again three or four days later to achieve your normal mowing height.
- Mulching or recycling the grass clippings back into the lawn. Make sure the grass clippings have filtered into the lawn. If you still have some grass clipping laying on top of the lawn, you can either mow and mulch them again or pick-up the clippings with the mower and bag. University studies show mulching your grass clippings on a regular basis will return 30% of the lawn fertilizers back to your lawn as a natural lawn fertilizer.
- Cut your lawn when it’s dry. Wet grass does not cut easily and the clippings tend to bunch together requiring you to rake the clippings.
Problems with Cutting Your Lawn Too Short
- Increases weed growth
- Decreases root development
- Increases susceptibility to serious fungus diseases
- Requires more frequent waterings
- Jeopardizes lawn’s general health
- Increased Crabgrass problems along sidewalk edge of your lawn
Other Mowing Tips
-
Water your lawn after mowing your lawn
-
Cut at different angles and directions each week
-
Never cut wilted blueish green color grass