Proper Mowing Techniques
Most people continually cut grass in the same direction or the same pattern each week. Over a period of time the wheels of the mower cause ruts in the soil of turf. When this happens, it is very difficult and expensive to correct the situation. The easiest and most sensible thing to do is to change directions at least every two weeks. I further suggest that you should try three or four angles over a period of time to avoid this pitfall of mowing. By altering your directions, you can also create that diamond or checkerboard pattern everyone desires. For more information, call 770-722-3699 or email us at Hayes@TurfandArborCare.com.
What needs to be bagged?
All warm season turfs such as Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede should be bagged. This is because the clippings do not rot very quickly. They gather on the ground and create what is called Thatch (dead clippings). Over a period of time, if left to build up on the lawn, it creates two pitfalls. 1 Causes the grass to thin out; 2 Causes the turf roots grow shallow. During a drought and if your turf has shallow roots, the turf will thin even more. Shallow roots not good for grass. Deep and downward roots result in a very healthy and beautiful lawn.
Proper Mowing Height
Bermuda on golf courses can be mowed as low as ¼ inch; however, this is because these lawns are mowed every day in the growing season. The average Bermuda for a homeowner should be mowed no more than 2-3 inches high. If Zoysia gets too tall, it can shade itself out. On Bermuda, if it is mowed too high, it generally creates horizontal growth rather than vertical. Many people mistakenly cut Fescue too short. Fescue should be between 4-6 inches high after a mowing. For Fescue, during a drought, you should mow as high as possible. Fescue isn’t drought tolerant so when it is mowed too short, it is stressed. This will enable a Fescue lawn that not only looks great, but feels great on the feet!
If you’d like more information on mowing, call 770-722-3699 or email us at Hayes@TurfandArborCare.com.
