Cultural Practices to Keep Your Lawn Thriving

Here at Weed Man, we believe that lawn care is a partnership. We work closely with homeowners to control weeds, fertilize, improve lawn health and diagnose problems. At the same time, we rely on our customers to follow good cultural practices to keep the lawn healthy. More specifically, proper watering and mowing will help you achieve better, quicker and more long-lasting results. Follow these guidelines when caring for your lawn.
 

Mowing Frequency

You should only mow your lawn when it needs it. The frequency of which you should mow your lawn will vary with the time of year and the growing conditions. In the peak of the growing season (spring and fall), your lawn may need to be mowed every 3-4 days. However, in the summer you might be able to get away with mowing every week or two. It is important to mow your lawn consistently, letting your grass get too long and then scalping it is very unhealthy. You should never cut off more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time.
 

Mowing Height

The appropriate mowing height depends on your grass type. Use this guide to determine the appropriate mowing height for your lawn.
  

Mowing Height Chart

 

Mower Blades & Grass Clippings

Keep them sharp! A sharp mower blade will make a clean, crisp cut that will heal quickly. Dull mower blades chew and fray the ends of grass, causing yellow grass tips, moisture loss, and a weakened lawn. You should sharpen your mower blades 2-3 times a season.

After mowing, it is recommended that you leave clippings on the lawn after mowing to return valuable nutrients and moisture back into the soil. This practice, known as grasscycling, and can act as a natural fertilizer for your lawn.

 

Watering Frequency

Lawns require two inches of water per week to stay green and healthy. Keep an eye on rainfall levels (or invest in a rain gauge) to determine how much and how often to water. Deep, infrequent watering is best and encourages deeper root growth. For example, watering twice a week for an hour is better than watering every day for 15 minutes. Extra watering may be required during the peak of the summer heat.
 

Watering in the Morning

Watering early in the day will give you the best results. If you water in the afternoon when temperatures are at their peak, more water will evaporate before it has a chance to be absorbed into the soil. Evening or night time watering is also frowned upon, as leaving your lawn wet for an extended period can promote turf disease and fungal problems. If you ever notice that your lawn is appearing yellow, or dry, water immediately despite the time of day!
 

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