7. MOWING AND MULCHING RECOMMENDATIONS
.
Cutting height settings of l-l /4 to 2-l /4 inches are appropriate for most lawns
during cool weather. A higher cut may be needed to protect the lawn during
hot summer months. Consult a local nursery or lawn and garden center for
advice about specific types of grasses and growing conditions in your area.
Most grasses should be mowed when they have grown 1/2to 1 inch above
the recommended height. For the best mulching results, mow the lawn
frequently enough that you will need to cut off less than one inch.
Frequent mowing, with light cuts, makes it easier for your mulching mower
to turn the grass clippings into fine particles that will fall through the turf and
decompose quickly.
Long clippings from tall grass cannot be easily reduced to fine particles. Also,
if allowed to grow too tall, and then cut back to the stems, the grass may
not recover well, and the lawn will have brown patches.
As a general rule, do not cut off more than a third of the total height of the
grass in one mowing. If tall grass is reduced in height a little at a time, and
is allowed to recover between mowings, the grass will be healthier, and the
mower will work better and will leave a better lawn finish.
For good mowing conditions, the grass should be relatively dry, but the ground
should not be so dry that the mower stirs up a lot of dust. Besides being
unpleasant to work in, too much dust will clog the carburetor air filter, reducing
engine performance
If dust is a problem, water your lawn the day before mowing, allowing the
grass to dry while the soil remains moist.
Always wait for wet grass to dry. Wet grass will clog the mower deck, it will
leave clumps on top of the lawn, and if you use the optional grass bag, it will
not bag well either.
If clogging or clumping occurs under normal conditions, mow more frequently,
cut a narrower swath, and/or push the mower more slowly. You may also need
to raise the mower’s cutting height. Heavy clumps of clippings should always
be removed from the lawn; grass must remain uncovered to grow properly.
If you must clean out a clogged mower deck, turn the fuel valve OFF, and tilt
the mower so the carburetor side is up. Hard starting and fuel leakage may
result if the mower is tilted with the carburetor side down.
29