Recycle Clippings for a Better Lawn

You would think that mowing the lawn would be a simple operation – just crank up the mower and go. There is a right way and a wrong way, and unfortunately many local lawns are suffering because of improper mowing practices.

There are several important considerations when planning a mowing program. These include frequency, cutting height, blade sharpness and moisture level. In addition, there is the controversial subject of how to deal with clippings.

Frequency

The lawn’s growth rate will vary throughout the season, so a specific mowing schedule is not practical for home lawns. Instead, use the “one-third” rule. Mowing should be often enough so that no more than one-third of the total height is removed each time. For example, if centipedegrass is being maintained at 2 inches, it should be mowed before it reaches a height of more than 3 inches. Under average growing conditions, centipede requires mowing about every 10 to 14 days, while St. Augustine needs mowing every 7 to 10 days.

Cutting Height

One of the reasons that many of our lawns are thin, weedy and pest ridden is because they are being cut too short. There is a direct relationship between mowing height and rooting depth. Short grass has shallow roots, which cannot tolerate stressful conditions such as drought and extremes in temperature.

Shade tolerance is also influenced by cutting height. Grass which is mowed higher has more leaf surface area to utilize available sunlight. The recommended mowing height for centipedegrass is 1½ to 2 inches, while most St. Augustine cultivars should be cut at 3 to 4 inches. Raise the mower blade an inch or more in areas where

excessive shade is present.

A Sharp Blade is Essential

Most lawns are mowed with rotary mowers, which cut by impact. The blade must therefore be sharp so that the grass leaves are cut smoothly. A dull blade shreds the grass and causes splitting of the leaves, allowing fungus diseases many entry points.

Check the mower blade for sharpness before each mowing and learn how often it should be sharpened during the season. Some gardeners routinely sharpen the blade after each third mowing.

Moisture Levels at Mowing

Grass should not be mowed when the leaves and stems are wet. In addition to less efficient cutting, there is at least one disease that can be spread when mowing a wet lawn. Though the stems and leaves should be dry, grass should not be mowed if soil moisture is low. Avoid mowing wilted grass. It is better to delay until sufficient irrigation can be applied.

To Bag or Not to Bag?

The catching and removal of clippings, or “bagging,” was a popular practice until several years ago. This practice is no longer recommended. Use a mulching blade or close the discharge chute on the mower. Lawn clippings, when left on the lawn, return minerals and organic matter.

Question of the Week: My tomato plants are growing well and flowering, but won’t set fruit. What can I do?

Answer: Be patient. Tomato flowers cannot pollinate until night temperatures reach the high 60s. Cold nights during April prevented plants from setting fruit.