Know Before you Mow: Getting a cutting edge
Who doesn’t love the smell of fresh-cut grass? For some, mowing the lawn is an enjoyable weekend ritual, a chance to get outdoors. Others may just be looking to get the job done. For all of us, knowing the right tricks can help deliver that satisfying result, a nice thick lawn, a happy space that you can enjoy. So, read on for our top tips on how to cut grass like a professional greenkeeper!
Your time to shine: The best time to cut grass
When to mow, is often the first question that pops into mind. The good news is, in most cases it’s not at 7am in the morning. Hooray, a sleep in is possible!
Most gardening gurus agree that early morning is one of the worst times to mow your lawn. Cutting grass when it has early-morning dew on it can lead to the growth of bacteria and fungal diseases. Give the dew a couple of hours to evaporate by mowing mid-morning (somewhere between 9am and 11am). This time also gives the grass time to recover before night settles in. If mid-morning doesn’t work for you, it’s not going to destroy your lawn if you mow outside these hours on occasion. Mid-afternoon is the second-best option. Try to avoid mowing in the middle of the day. This is when the grass is at its hottest. If the grass is too hot, mowing can stress your lawn, and you also risk burning the grass.
High stakes: What height to cut grass
How short should I cut the lawn, another important question. Now, there is no need to get out a ruler and measure your grass length, the number one rule is this: never cut more than one third of the grass’s length in any one go. Grass can get stressed too! Too much of a haircut, may make it unhealthy and cause you problems later on. Keeping grass at the maximum recommended length particularly during warmer months will ensure the longer blades of grass, shade the shoots and help keep moisture in.
But if you want to get out that ruler to check, warm-season grass, such as couch, Buffalo, zoysia or Kikuyu, you can cut anywhere between 10mm and 75mm. For cool-season grass, such as Ryegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass and Fescue, anywhere between 25mm and 100mm.
Have you ever asked yourself, can I cut it shorter so I won’t have to mow it again for a while? And by shorter, that doesn’t mean back to bare earth. The simple answer is it is possible but once when weather is warmer. So, this may be good, a few times in Spring but If you cut too short, you risk cutting into the stem of the grass. This is called scalping, and different grass types require different treatments. Scalping not done correctly can lead to an unhealthy and patchy lawn allowing more weeds to flourish.
How often to mow
How often to mow? Mowing regularly will keep your lawn healthy. Mowing encourages lateral growth, which is what makes your lawn look nice and thick. Lawns that aren’t mowed regularly are more susceptible to diseases and pests that love hiding out in the longer grass! So if you’re wanting to maintain that thick lush grass or encourage it, weekly to fortnightly mowing is a guide, but also take into consideration the season and weather conditions too. Winter often requires less mowing than Spring time.
Taming your turf: How to cut tall grass
Has your lawn got a little out of hand? Maybe you’ve been on holiday for a few weeks, or you’ve just had better things to do. We’ve all been there.
If your grass is higher than your knee, use a whipper snipper to reduce the length of the grass to a height you can mow. Trying to mow through very long grass will be nearly impossible. Raise the mower height to make sure you’re only removing the top third of the blade. Remember the rule! Never mow more than one-third in one go as this can stress the grass. If you want to reduce the height even further, waiting three days before mowing again.
Lawn and order: Lawn mowing tips
Now a few more tips will keep your lawn a cut above the rest.
Mowing do’s
- Sharpen your blades for a cleaner cut. Cutting with dull blades can stress your lawn by ripping and tearing the grass.
- Switch directions. If you always mow in the same direction, your grass blades will start to grow in that direction. To keep them growing upright, switch it up from mow to mow. Go north to south, then east to west for the next mow.
Mowing don’ts
- Remember don’t cut more than one-third of the grass’s length during any mowing session. Cutting off too much can stress the grass.
- Don’t mow when wet. Wet grass also tends to tear rather than cut cleanly. This can lead to fungal diseases.
- Let your grass get too long between mowing sessions. Sun and nutrients struggle to penetrate long grass. Long grass is also prone to fungal diseases and can attract rats and mice.
A little attention to detail can make all the difference.
Remember, a well-manicured lawn isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating a space where you can relax, play, and enjoy the outdoors. So, the next time you’re gearing up for a mow, keep these tips in mind, and your efforts will deliver a rewarding job done.
