Mowing Tips
Proper mowing will
have a tremendous effect on the appearance of your lawn. The height that you mow your
grass and how often youmow it are important factors to consider. For the best appearance,
turf should be maintained at its proper height. The chart below will give you information
on proper mowing heights for your type of grass. Notice that the heights vary
substantially. For example, bermuda grass can be mowed anywhere from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2
inches tall. A good rule to follow would be the lower the mowing height, the more
often you should mow. The fairways and greens on golf courses are very short, but they are
mowed every three days or even more frequently. They have also been topdressed with sand
and are smooth enough to allow for a low mowing height. |
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Recommended Mowing Heights
Bermuda Grass
| 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches |
Zoysia Grass |
3/4 to 1-1/2 inces |
Centipede Grass |
1-1/2 to 2 inches |
Fescue |
3 to 4 inces |
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As a general rule, turf should be mowed often enough so that you are not removing more than 1/4 to 1/3 of the plant material. Example: If you are keeping your bermuda grass at 1" it will need to be mowed at or before it reaches 1 1/2". Removal of too much of the grass blades causes browning and can shock the turf. The most damaging mowing practice is a sudden reduction in mowing height. This will upset the balance between the grass leaves and roots. It will also give the lawn a brown scalped appearance and usually injures the turf. The more often you mow the lawn, the better it will look.
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During
stressful periods, such as drought or severe heat, it is a good idea to raise the cutting
height slightly. This is especially helpful on tall fescue because it will reduce the
stress on the turf. After the stress is gone, lower the height gradually back to the
recommended height. |
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Turf in shaded areas should be mowed higher for better results. Raising the mowing height of bermuda grass and zoysia grass lawns as Fall approaches will help protect the turf from winter injury.
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