Lawn Care & Mowing Information

GENERAL INFORMATION

Proper mowing is an important part of maintaining your lawn in the best possible condition. A healthy and well maintained lawn is better able to resist drought, weeds, and other stresses. But too much maintenance is as detrimental to your lawn as neglect. Proper care for your lawn involves more than just “cutting the grass.” To have a healthy lawn, you need to know:

•Types of Grass, Climate and Conditions

•How and When to Water, Fertilize & Aerate

•How High to Mow the Grass

•When and How Often to Mow

•What Mowing Patterns to Use

•Proper Mowing Methods

•How to Solve Common Mowing Problems

TYPES OF GRASS, CLIMATE AND CONDITIONS

A variety of grasses are commonly grown in household lawns, but two main groups known as cool-season grasses (varieties of bluegrass, ryegrass, and fescue), and warm-season grasses (typically bermuda, buffalo grass, and zoysia varieties) are the most common.

The cool-season grasses are better suited to cooler cli- mates, and do not endure hot and dry weather as well as warm-season grasses, but conversely, the warm-season grasses do not grow as well in cooler climates. Most resi- dential lawns are typically seeded with a mixture of these grasses. (A local nursery or lawn center may help you to identify what kind of grass your lawn contains from a sample.)

Knowing your climate and conditions is also important to proper lawn care. Drier climates or conditions will require additional watering, while wetter climates may require more frequent mowing.

HOW AND WHEN TO WATER, FERTILIZE & AERATE

Every lawn’s watering needs are unique and are depen- dent upon the type of grass and soil, the amount of local rainfall, and other conditions. Most lawns are watered too often, but with too little water. However too much water can allow development of diseases with your lawn.

It is best to water the lawn only when necessary, and then to water it slowly, evenly, and deeply—imitating a slow, soaking rain.

WHEN TO WATER YOUR LAWN

When the lawn begins to wilt, the grass’s color dulls, or footprints stay compressed for more than a few seconds, the lawn is beginning to dry out, and needs additional moisture. The best time to water is early morning to allow the water to soak deeply into the lawn and reduce the amount that evaporates in the hot afternoon sun.

HOW TO WATER YOUR LAWN

The best method of watering a lawn is to imitate a slow, soaking rain, applying about 1 inch of water. A method of verifying the amount that you have watered, is to place several empty tin cans (low shallow cans work best) in various spots around the lawn, and check the depth of water in the can during the watering process.

HOW TO FERTILIZE YOUR LAWN

Fertilizing with a slow-release fertilizer provides missing nutrients which help create slow, even growth. While opinions vary on the need for fertilizing, when and how much to fertilize will be more a factor of the condition of the lawn and soil than any routine. Remember that over- fertilizing can cause harm, and that most fertilizing should be applied in the spring so that it will release into the lawn through the summer. For more information, check with a local nursery or lawn care specialist, and read and follow the fertilizer manufacturer’s instructions.

AERATING YOUR LAWN

Consider aerating your lawn in spring. Using an aerator to remove cores of soil from the lawn increases the speed of clipping decomposition and encourages deeper root growth by opening up the soil and permitting greater movement of water, fertilizer and air.

TP 600-7000-01-UV-FD

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