Many homeowners and gardeners spend a great deal of time and money in order to have attractive and healthy lawns. They apply expensive fertilizers in order to promote the grown of roots and shoots, thus producing a dark green lawn. Herbicides are added whenever necessary in order to curtail the growth of crabgrass and broadleaf weeds.

Some people even go to the trouble of hiring a professional lawn service while overlooking the most important key to the growth of a healthy lawn. What many people don't know or fail to accept is that the most vital role of a healthy lawn involves proper mowing. In fact, many problems with turfgrass are directly related to improper lawn mowing.

Proper Mowing Factors: Height and Frequency

The most important factors in proper mowing are the height and frequency. Bluegrass lawns should be maintained at a height of 2 to 2 1/2 inches in the spring and fall, and 3 inches during the summer. The frequency of mowing is contingent upon how fast the turfgrass grows, but in general, you should never attempt to remove more than 1/3 of the leaf surface of the grass in one mowing.

A convenient way of thinking about this guideline is that to maintain a lawn height of two inches, you should mow it when the grass reaches a height of three inches. How long it takes to reach that height depends on many factors, including fertilization activity and amount of rainfall. It doesn't take too much of a science project, though, to check this out.

When you attempt to mow grass that is too tall, it is not only hard on your lawnmower, it is unhealthy for the grass. It weakens the turfgrass, thus allowing the formation of weeds in addition to large deposits of clippings. These clippings in large amounts are not only unsightly but they smother the grass, thus creating an environment that breeds the development of disease. Always rake and remove clippings after mowing grass that has grown too tall, or use a bagger on your mower.

Do not attempt to mow all of the grass at one time. Instead, start with the highest setting on your mower blade. After mowing, remove the grass clippings. Gradually reduce the height of the grass in later mowings until the grass has returned to its proper maintenance height. There is no need to remove the clippings if the grass is cut frequently enough because the small amount of clippings will be absorbed by the turf and quick break down, providing essential plant nutrients for the soil.