Lawn mowing is one of the most important tasks to keep your garden lush and healthy. Proper management of mowing frequency and height not only enhances the aesthetic appearance but also promotes vigorous grass growth and overall lawn health. Below is a detailed guide to effectively handle this operation.

Mowing Frequency

The frequency of lawn mowing varies according to the season and the type of grass in your garden:

• Spring and Autumn: During these seasons, the lawn goes through a phase of intense growth due to favorable climatic conditions. To maintain a healthy lawn and encourage density, it’s recommended to mow once a week. This steady rhythm helps prevent excessive grass growth and ensures a neat appearance.
• Summer: During the hotter months, grass growth slows down due to rising temperatures and reduced water availability. In these conditions, reducing mowing frequency to two or three times a month is recommended to avoid stressing the grass and preserve soil moisture. A slightly higher lawn in summer protects roots from evaporation and excessive heat.
• Winter: In winter months, the lawn enters a state of dormancy, and growth slows down or stops completely. Generally, mowing is suspended from November to February, unless unusually mild conditions require occasional intervention.

Mowing Height

The correct mowing height is essential to keep the grass healthy. The general rule, known as the one-third rule, states that you should never remove more than one-third of the overall grass height in a single cut. Following this rule prevents excessive stress on the plants, while also promoting uniform, lush growth.

Recommended Cutting Heights:

• Traditional Lawn (fescue, ryegrass, or bluegrass): In spring and autumn, maintaining a height between 4 and 5 cm is ideal to allow the roots to develop healthily and vigorously. During summer, it’s advisable to increase the cutting height to 5-6 cm to better protect the soil and grass from excessive heat and drought.
• Zoysia Lawn: This particularly resilient variety follows a similar cutting regimen, but it’s recommended to suspend cuts during the winter months, as this grass enters dormancy and doesn’t require frequent maintenance.

Proper Mowing Equipment

For a precise cut and to avoid damaging the lawn, it’s essential to have the right equipment. A lawn mower with sharp blades is crucial for making a clean cut that minimizes the risk of disease and stress on the grass. Dull blades tend to tear the grass instead of cutting it, creating uneven tips that allow pathogens to enter.

• Mulching Mower: This type of mower finely chops the cut grass and returns it to the lawn. Mulching has several advantages: it reduces the need to collect clippings, returns nutrients to the soil, and helps retain moisture, improving overall lawn health.
• Lightweight Mower: A manageable and easy-to-move model allows you to work with greater precision and uniformity, avoiding excessive or uneven cuts that can negatively impact the appearance of the lawn.

Additional Tips

• Do not cut wet grass: Mowing wet grass can damage the lawn, as the grass tends to bend under the weight of water, making the cut less uniform. Moreover, moisture causes the grass to stick to the mower components, making the operation more strenuous and less effective.
• Alternate mowing direction: Regularly changing the direction in which you mow, for instance, from left to right and then in the opposite direction next time, prevents ruts in the soil and promotes more uniform growth.

Conclusion

A regular and well-executed mowing routine is essential to keep your lawn healthy and lush. Adhering to the correct mowing frequency, especially based on the season, and following the one-third rule for grass height will help preserve the lawn’s health and promote dense, uniform growth. Using the right equipment, such as a mower with sharp blades and a mulching function, will make the task easier and ensure better results. Following these guidelines, your lawn will remain green and attractive throughout the season.