How and When to Water | Snapper 1800, 2800, 500, 1700, 2700, 400

		Lawn Care
		& Mowing Information
	How and When to Water,	HOW TO WATER YOUR LAWN
	Fertilize & Aerate	The best method of watering a lawn
	Most lawns are watered too often,	is to imitate a slow, soaking rain,
	Most lawns are watered too often,	applying about 1 inch of water.
	but with too little water. However	applying about 1 inch of water.
	but with too little water. However	HOW TO FERTILIZE YOUR LAWN
	too much water can allow develop-	HOW TO FERTILIZE YOUR LAWN
	too much water can allow develop-	Fertilizing with a slow-release fertiliz-
	ment of diseases with your lawn. It is	Fertilizing with a slow-release fertiliz-
	best to water the lawn only when	er provides missing nutrients which
	necessary, and then to water it	help create slow, even growth.
	slowly, evenly, and deeply—imitat-	Remember that over-fertilizing can
	ing a slow, soaking rain.	cause harm, and that most fertilizing
	WHEN TO WATER YOUR LAWN	should be applied in the spring so
	WHEN TO WATER YOUR LAWN	that it will release into the lawn
	When the lawn begins to wilt, the	that it will release into the lawn
	When the lawn begins to wilt, the	through the summer.
	grass’s color dulls, or footprints stay compressed for	through the summer.
	grass’s color dulls, or footprints stay compressed for	AERATING YOUR LAWN
	more than a few seconds, the lawn is beginning to dry	AERATING YOUR LAWN
	more than a few seconds, the lawn is beginning to dry	Consider aerating your lawn in spring. Using an aerator
	out, and needs additional moisture. The best time to	Consider aerating your lawn in spring. Using an aerator
	water is early morning to allow the water to soak deeply	to remove cores of soil from the lawn increases the
	into the lawn and reduce the amount that evaporates in	speed of clipping decomposition and encourages deeper
	the hot afternoon sun.	root growth by opening up the soil and permitting greater
		movement of water, fertilizer and air.

How High To Mow the Grass

Cutting the grass too short causes weak, thin grass plants, which are easily damaged by dry periods and pests.

Letting grass grow a bit longer—especially when it is hot and dry—reduces heat build-up, preserves needed moisture and protects the grass from heat damage and other problems.

Cutting off too much at one time shocks the plant’s growth system and weakens the grass plants. A good rule of thumb is the 1/3 rule: to cut no more than one third of the grass height, and never more than 1 inch at a time.

Cut less than

1/3 Optimal cutting point at less than 1/3 from top of grass blade

Cutting down to this area contributes to

thatch problems

Cut Here On	Cut
First Pass	Here On
	Second
	Pass

Tall Grass Requires Incremental Cutting

For extremely tall grass, set the cutting height at maxi- mum for the first pass, and then reset it to the desired height and mow a second or third time.

Don’t cover the grass surface with a heavy layer of clippings.

TP 600-2136-03-UV-SMA

Lawn Care

& Mowing Information