Lawn Tips

Let’s Work Together

Proper lawn care requires our joint efforts. Our sound agronomic program, combined with your regular mowing and watering, can produce a lush, healthy, green lawn. Please read the information below. We want your lawn to be a source of pride for both of us.

Mowing

Improper mowing causes more problems on lawns than any other maintenance practice. Many lawns are mowed too short, not enough, and/or with a dull mower blade.

How often should I mow? Remember that the grass blades are the food producers for the plant. Removing too much leaf in a cutting can shock, yellow and kill some of the leaves. Therefore, never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf surface in a cutting. Cutting frequency will vary, from twice a week in optimum growth periods to weekly as growth slows down.

Is my mower blade dull? A dull rotary mower blade will tear the grass blades. It will shred the ends, giving the lawn a whitish appearance and causing excessive moisture loss. To avoid this ragged look, sharpen your mower blade at least three to six times a season.

What is a good mowing height? Most lawns in our area consist of Kentucky bluegrass, perennial rye and fescue mixtures. Keeping these grasses cut at 3 1/2 inches ensures a greener, healthier lawn during summer heat.

Should I bag clippings? Don’t bag. During the year, bagging the clippings on a fertile lawn removes about 2 lbs. of nitrogen and other nutrients for every 1,000 square feet of lawn. Bagging also nearly doubles the mowing time. It is better not to bag and to mow more frequently.

Won’t clippings cause thatch build-up? No. Grass clippings are mostly water and break down rapidly in the soil.

What is thatch? Thatch consists of dead rhizomes and roots. If not excessive, thatch will decompose and add organic matter to the soil. When it exceeds 1/2 inch, thatch inhibits water and oxygen movement and causes shallow rooting.

Should I power rake? Power raking with a dethatching machine will remove some of this dead material, but may destroy much of the desirable lawn in the process.

Can core aeration control thatch? Yes, core aeration is excellent for thatch or compacted soils. Aeration removes cores of soil ¾ of an inch in diameter, loosens the soil, and increases soil oxygen and root depth. This facilitates more rapid thatch decomposition.