How Green Is Your Grass?

It's best to mow early in the morning or in the evening. This is because mowing during the middle of the day where temperatures are at their highest can cause the plant to go into shock. It is also recommended to mow when your grass is dry. Dry grass allows your lawn mowers to function better as well as minimize disease exposure that can spread from plant to plant.

Mow your lawn using the one-third rule. The one-third rule says that you should never remove more than one-third of the leaf blade during any one lawn mowing. For example, if the recommended mowing height for a turfgrass is 2 inches, the height of the grass should not exceed 3 inches before it is mowed back to 2 inches.

Why? Turfgrasses, like other green plants, provide themselves with the necessary nutrients to grow through the process of photosynthesis. This is the process by which green plants and certain other organisms transform light energy (sun) into chemical energy. During photosynthesis in green plants, light energy is captured and utilized to convert water, carbon dioxide, and minerals into oxygen and energy-rich organic compounds.

When over one-third of the leaf blade is removed during the mowing process, there is significantly less surface area remaining to absorb the light energy to allow the process of photosynthesis to continue. Therefore, the green plant will produce less food for itself, resulting in a less healthy plant that is susceptible to insect damage and disease. Overcutting weakens the grass and also inhibits the growth of the roots, leading to the creation of a small, shallow root system. During the dry season, shallow roots can dry out which leads to the inevitable death of the plant or grass. Large root systems below ground allow grass to grow tall and healthy and can withstand the dry, summer months.

• Select an appropriate mowing height: Generally speaking, the appropriate mowing height is two to three inches. Set the blade to the correct height of cut and mow frequently enough so you cut off no more than the top third of the grass plant. This will encourage stronger and healthier roots.
• Don't cut too short: Cutting your lawn too short can cause your lawn to lose moisture at a more rapid pace and fosters an environment for weed and disease infestation.
• Keep the lawn mower blades sharp: Sharp blades need to produce a clean, even cut because unsharpened blades have a tendency of ripping the grass tissue. Torn grass tissue results in a tan or brown cast to the lawn. The ripping also creates a breeding ground for disease and other issues.
• Leave grass clippings on your lawn: This process is called mulching, grasscycling, or recycling. Grass clippings can reduce your need for fertilizer as much as 25% because they are full of essential nutrients. Grass clippings break down easily and cause issues only if there is an excessive amount.
• Change directions: Mowing causes the grass to lie over slightly, causing mowing patterns to develop. It's important alternate directions with each mowing to avoid the grass to lie over. Changing directions also reduces compaction and wear.