Lawn Mowing Guide

Mowing Height

• Mowing too short for your specific grass type causes weak root systems. Every grass type has its own specific height that it needs to maintain for dense grass growth. For example, Bermuda grass should be kept between 1 and 2 inches in height, while bluegrass should be kept 2 to 3 inches in height, according to Kansas State University. Avoid every removing more than one-third of the grass blade at one time.

Weather

• Gardeners should mow their lawns when the grass is dry. When grass is cut wet, fungal diseases can easily enter the wounds in the grass blades. Also, moist soil allows the lawn mower to sink, which causes scalping. Scalping or mowing the grass too short weakens the grass's roots. Gardeners may see grass thin out or produce bare areas when the grass has been scalped. In addition, weeds take advantage of stressed out grass and pop up in these areas.

Lawn Mower

• Sharpen your lawn mower's blades at the beginning of your lawn's growing season. Dull blades can chew up turfgrass, according to Kansas State University. Remove any dirt or debris from your lawn mower's blades after using. Wash off the blades with a gardening hose, and carefully dry them off with a towel, or leave the lawn mower in the sun, so the blades dry quickly. Never add gasoline to your lawn mower when it is on your grass; gasoline spills can cause brown patches in the yard.

Other Factors

• Mow your lawn from a different direction each time you mow to decrease the amount of damage the lawn mower causes the grass, suggests Kansas State University. Furthermore, be careful mowing around trees and shrubs. Wounds made into the trunk can lead to fungal diseases. To avoid harming your trees and shrubs, spread mulch around the base of the plant. Keep a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch starting 3 inches from the base and out to the dripline to prevent grass from invading the area.