Mowing Tips

All turf-grass varieties should be mowed at or near their optimal mowing height. This will keep grass healthy and dense. Higher density means more soil surface shading, which severely restricts the germination of many annual grasses and broadleaf weeds.

The Hidden Nutrients in Grass Clippings

Proper mowing is essential to a beautiful lawn, and contrary to popular belief, leaving your clippings on the lawn are actually healthy for it. Clippings will return nutrients to the lawn. They do not add to thatch levels, so it is best to let your clippings filter down.

Grass clippings are approximately 75% water and contain up to 25% of the fertilizer applied to lawns. Clippings quickly break down, returning moisture and nutrients to the soil.

Mowing Frequency & Height

The height of the cut, frequency of mowing, and lawn mower maintenance are all important factors in your lawn care. Check your mower and make certain it is cutting at the correct height. The minimum height for a lawn in Utah is 2 inches. The preferred mowing height for all Utah turf-grass varieties is 2.5 to 3 inches.

The height of your lawn is determined from the top of the thatch level to the top of the grass blade, and maintaining a taller blade length will help keep your lawn and root system healthy. Taller lawns reduce evaporation and help prevent weeds by shading the soil. Your lawn will stay greener when it's kept at the right height.

Mowing your grass to less than 2 inches can result in decreased drought and heat tolerance and higher incidence of insects, diseases and weeds. Use a ruler or another measuring gauge to check your cutting height level.

Mow your lawn often enough so no more than 1/3 of the grass blade is removed during any single mowing. Lawn growth is effected by a variety of conditions, such as the season, grass type, irrigation frequency and the temperature. If possible, adapt your mowing schedule to your lawn's needs. During early spring and mid summer growing periods, you may need to mow more than once a week.

You should also sharpen your mower blades frequently. Dull blades will produce a poor appearance as they shred the grass blades. A dull blade will also contribute to a higher incidence of turf insects and disease.