Turf Grass Care

MOW YOUR WAY TO BEAUTIFUL TURF GRASS

Maintain your mower. Sharpen your cutting blades. Unsharpened blades can leave grass stems frayed and cause lawns to look brown.

Mow appropriately. Lawns should be kept high, between 3” and 4”. Never cut more than 1/3 “ off of a blade. At the appropriate height, grass blades keep the soil cool, reduce water loss, and promote deeper roots and dense grass cover—all of which discourages new weed seedings. Grass height and root depth are mirrors of one another—the taller the grass, the deeper the root system, the stronger the crop!

Mulch grass clippings. Leave grass clippings on your lawn for an easy source of non-toxic plant food. Grass clippings contain the three main fertilizer ingredients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Clippings decompose in one or two days (thanks to earthworms and soil microorganisms) and do not contribute to thatch accumulation.

Prevent thatch. ½ to 1 inch of plant mat debris can create a thatch layer on your turf. Solve the problem by balancing the pH (acidic soil slows decomposition). Ideally, soil pH should be neutral, 6.5 to 7.0. Aerate in the fall to de-thatch.

Reduce your carbon footprint. Consider eliminating fuel-powered lawn mowers! Push reel mowers are an easy and environmentally-friendly way to cut grass on small lots. Be sure that the mower has a mow height of at least 3 inches.

More Articles for a Healthy Yard and Home