Mowing Turf
By Gregg O'Connor
Mowing is but one of several important and labor intensive practices necessary for the successful management of turfgrass. Others include irrigating; fertilizing; controlling surface and soil insects; fungal disease control; weed control; animal control; thatch control; soil aerifying and topdressing. Combined with other practices, or by itself, mowing can make vast differences in the appearance and longevity of a given stand of turf. Although many sound mowing recommendations are difficult or unfeasible to adhere to, quality lawns and turf rely on the best efforts to abide by “proper mowing practices”. Below are some “BMPs” (Best Mowing Practices).
• Keep mower blades sharp and replace blade drive belts before they get too loose.
• Keep inflatable mower tires properly inflated.
• Mow often enough to reduce the grass height by no more than one third.
• Maintain a high mowing height for the species or cultivar of grass being grown.
• Do not scalp desirable turfgrass, unless for thatch reduction purposes
i.e. St. Augustinegrass.
• Do not “weed eat” desirable turfgrass, except narrow strips along edges
unreachable by mowers.
• Run the mower engine at full throttle.
• Mow at a pace that allows for clean cutting.
• Mow in a different direction each time.
• Gradually reduce grass height to desired mowing height, if left to grow too high.
• Mow often enough that debris (leaves, twigs, etc.) doesn’t remain on the turf,
causing thinning.
• Make use of “mulching” mower technology
• Mow often enough that clips can be left in the lawn without accumulating visibly.
• Mow shaded turf, especially, as high as possible within the range recommended
for the species or cultivar.
• Mow when leaf blades are dry.
•
Avoid mowing when soil is soggy .
•
Don’t mow drought stressed turf.
•
Avoid sharp, fast turns of the mower.
• Wait for mower blades to engage to full speed before moving onto grass to
be mowed.
• Mow even higher just prior to and in the cool season than in the warm season,
if possible.
• Discharge clips toward the outer perimeter of a given lawn area to reduce
buildup/clumping.
• On the first lap, clips may be discharged inwardly to reduce clips on pavement.
• When stressed turf must be mowed, keep the mowing height as high as possible
within the recommended range.
Mowing Height Recommendations
• Hybrid Bermudagrass- less than ½” - 1.5” depending on use and cultivar.
A reel-type mower is required.
•
Zoysiagrass- japonica 2-3” with rotary mower, other cultivars ½-1” using a
reel-type mower
•
Bahiagrass- 3.5-4” or higher
•
St. Augustinegrass- most cultivars 3-4”, semi-dwarf cultivars 1.5-2.5”
