How to Mow a Lawn the Right Way. Height of lawn mower
Make cutting the grass a faster, more efficient process and keep your turf in tip-top shape with these techniques.
By Teresa Odle and Jennifer Noonan | Updated Jan 25, 2022 5:20 PM
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If you have a sprawling lawn it might feel like the more you mow, the more it grows. But keeping your lawn neatly manicured is a must for optimal enjoyment and curb appeal. So rather than go at it in a haphazard manner, follow our tips for how to mow a lawn quickly and smoothly while still ensuring the health of your grass. Then kick off your shoes and love your lawn!
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STEP 1: Trim and edge the grass.
Before you get behind the lawn mower, trim and edge your yard to reduce the risk of damaging trees, plants, and hardscaping by getting too close to them with your mower. Plus, weed whacking around obstacles like trees, mailboxes, and fences will make mowing the lawn go faster because you won’t have to maneuver around them.
Edging garden beds will prevent turf grass from encroaching onto your landscaping plants, and you won’t need to continually pull that grass back by hand.
STEP 2: Mow often and early.
Although there can be a few good reasons not to mow the lawn, in general, consistency keeps your turf happy and healthy.
- Resist the temptation to let your lawn get knee-high just to save mowing time and then give it a crew cut. Mowing more than one-third of the length of grass blades prevents optimal photosynthesis.
- Make a point of mowing grass approximately every 5 days in early spring and late fall—your lawn’s growth-spurt periods.
- If you are late in mowing, raise your blade height to keep from taking off too much plant tissue. Then, mow the yard again in a couple of days if you’d like a shorter lawn.
- Keep in mind that the best time to mow is in mid-morning, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Early morning dew will have evaporated, but grass won’t be limp from harsh midday sun.
STEP 3: Change direction each time you cut the grass.
Once you fall into a routine for mowing the lawn, you might be inclined to always cut exactly the same way. Don’t! To reduce turf wear and soil compaction, change things up and mow in a different direction week to week.
Position the mower horizontally and follow a straight line this week, for example, then mow vertically next week. You can even try to master the beautiful diagonal stripes of a professional baseball diamond, or mow in circles like a Zen labyrinth. Just be sure to switch it up.
STEP 4: Make Smart use of clippings.
There are two ways to use lawn clippings:
- Some people collect and bag grass clippings in order to prevent a layer of thatch developing at the grass roots. If you choose to collect clippings, add them to your compost pile—they’ll contribute to beautifully rich soil for landscaping and potted plants.
- However, as long as you mow a lawn regularly so that clippings aren’t overly long, it’s fine to leave them where they fall as long as they do not get too thick. A layer of about 1 inch or so will break down and provide much-needed nutrients for your lawn, with no ill effects to the roots.
STEP 5: Finish up by blowing or sweeping away lawn waste.
When running through the steps for how to mow a lawn properly, the last always involves removing any stray clippings from paths and driveways. Whether you blow the clippings back onto the mowed lawn with a leaf blower or sweep them up with a broom, it’s a neat finishing touch that’s also kind to your community and the environment.
Lawn waste left untended can wash into storm drains, leading to clogs, and can make its way into rivers and lakes to cause phosphorus pollution.
Maintaining Your Mower
The quality of your lawn mowing job is directly related to the quality and upkeep of your equipment. Choosing a quality lawn mower is important, as is staying on top with regular mower maintenance, including checking the oil and tire pressure, and cleaning the deck and blades after use.
One of the most important maintenance tasks that we tend to forget about is to sharpen the mower’s blades. Dull blades tear rather than evenly cut the grass, which makes it more difficult for your lawn to recover from a trim. Keeping mower blades sharp will also reduce mowing time. Our rule of thumb for a clean cut is to sharpen mower blades twice a season: once at the beginning of spring, and once halfway through the summer.
Lawn Mowing Tips for a Sharp-Looking Property
How often you mow and the height at which you cut grass can affect lawn health. Be sure to pay attention to blade sharpness; cutting the lawn with dull mower blades shreds grass blades and can introduce diseases. Control weeds in the lawn as needed, and never mow wet grass. That will clog your mower deck, causing it to clump as it discharges and leaving blobs of wet grass to decay all over your yard. Too much gunk can affect your mower’s performance.
Tackling some tasks routinely or as needed will make mowing a lawn more efficient and effective. Fertilize evenly so grass grows at a similar rate throughout the lawn by using a fertilizer spreader to distribute fertilizer and even grass seed. Thatch, which is a mat of dead grass and leaves, can thicken enough so that it blocks sunlight and water from reaching grass blades and roots, encouraging disease from fungus. Regular mowing and some clipping removal prevents thatch from building up, and dethatching can eliminate this thick mat, improving lawn health.
Final Thoughts
These mowing tips sound easy enough, right? Are you ready to get started? Not so fast. You might need to break a few bad mowing habits before you earn the reputation as the top groundskeeper in the neighborhood. Watch our video or read our article to learn some of the biggest mowing mistakes you should avoid. Then get out in the yard and put your newfound knowledge to use.
FAQs About the Best Way to Mow a Lawn
Even those with prizeworthy yards can encounter a problem or question every now and then about the best way to mow a lawn. Here are answers to a few frequent questions people have about caring for and mowing the lawn.
Q. In what pattern should I mow my lawn?
The mowing pattern you choose is a matter of convenience and preference. What matters most is that you mix it up from time to time. If you always mow the yard in the same pattern, the grass will tend to lean toward the direction you mow and not stand as upright. Change up directions every few times you mow instead of always following the same vertical or horizontal lines.
Q. How much do you overlap when mowing?
The exact amount to overlap depends on your mower’s deck width and spacing from the edge of the mower body that you can see. In general, overlap a couple of inches on each pass, then increase it by an inch or two if you spot any strips of missed, taller blades.
Q. How do I stop my grass burning in the summer?
Preventing summer grass burn starts with planting the best grass seed for your region. Avoid cutting the grass too short just to save on mowing frequency. In fact, mowing grass fairly often (and removing no more than about one-third of the grass height each time) helps keep grass healthy.
You might cut back on mowing frequency during especially hot, dry periods, but keep the grass watered. Finally, avoid mowing grass during the day’s peak heat, mowing instead in early evening or in the mid-morning once the grass is not too wet.
Q. How short should you cut grass?
Short grass can become too weak to survive summer heat or periods of drought. Keep the height of most grasses at about 2½ to 3 inches, depending on the grass type. Bermuda grass and some other warm-season types can handle a shorter mowing height. Check the seed package or with a local source such as your cooperative extension office if you are unsure of the optimal height when you cut your grass.
With all grass types, aim for cutting no more than one-third of the grass blade height with each mowing session.
Q. Can you weed whack wet grass?
As with mowing, it is best to wait a day or so to trim the lawn if it is raining or has rained recently. The wet grass tends to bend or lean from the weight of water, making grass trimming harder. Clumps of wet grass can affect the trimmer’s operation and even damage it. Finally, consider your own safety. It is never a good idea to weed whack during a summer storm because of potential lightning and slippery turf.
Manage Tall Grass: How Tall Of Grass Can a Lawn Mower Cut
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Are you a new homeowner who wants to learn more about lawn care? If so, you may wonder how tall grass your lawn mower can cut.
Knowing this information is important for ensuring that your grass stays healthy and taken care of and for understanding when it’s time to break out the clippers or buy a bigger mower.
The good news is that with some basic knowledge of the subject and perhaps even a straightforward test, you can determine precisely how tall your lawnmower can safely handle it!
In this blog post, we’ll walk through what factors go into determining maximum cutting height and talk about strategies for successfully managing taller grass.
How Tall Grass Can Lawn Mower Cut
Mowing your lawn can be overwhelming, especially for those with yards full of tall grass.
While most lawnmowers have a maximum cutting height of four inches, there are ways to extend this to accommodate taller grass.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the ideal height for cutting grass, the maximum height your lawn mower can cut, the benefits of keeping your lawn at a reasonable height, and the types of lawn mowers that can cut taller grass.
We’ll also look at safety tips and the best time to cut your tall grass with a lawn mower. Finally, we’ll offer some tips on maximizing efficiency when cutting tall grass with a lawn mower.
What is the Ideal Height for Cutting Grass?
The ideal height for cutting grass depends on your grass type. For cool-season grass such as Kentucky bluegrass and fescue, the general rule of thumb is to cut the grass to a height of two inches.
The ideal height for warm-season grass such as Bermuda and zoysia is slightly taller, usually between three and four inches.
Keeping your grass at an appropriate height helps maintain a healthy lawn and allows more air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots.
What Are the Benefits of Cutting Grass to a Specific Height?
Cutting grass to a specific height has several benefits.
First, it helps to keep weeds from taking over your lawn. Weeds thrive in taller grass, so keeping the grass mowed helps to suppress weed growth.
Additionally, cutting the grass to a specific height can help promote healthier and more vigorous growth.
Different grass varieties have different optimal heights for mowing; however, the general rule of thumb is to cut no more than one-third of the grass blade at any given time.
Cutting your grass too short can rob it of food-producing chlorophyll, weakening plants, and possible disease.
Lastly, cutting your grass to a specific height is essential for aesthetic purposes. A well-maintained lawn can add curb appeal and value to your home.
What is the Maximum Height Your Lawn Mower Can Cut?
It is important to know the maximum height your lawn mower can cut before attempting to cut tall grass.
Generally, the top setting for most mowers gives a cutting height between 3.25 and 4 inches.
This is the ideal height for most grasses, and cutting no more than one-third of the grass at a time will help keep your grass healthy.
However, if your lawn is taller than this after the initial trim, it is possible to cut through dense grass with a mower like this Makita commercial strength set to the highest position possible.
Riding mowers like this Husqvarna below are designed to cut grass up to 8 inches tall, while robotic mowers can handle heights up to 4 inches.
Every variety of grass has an ideal cutting height; however, a common mistake people make with their lawn is thinking they have to mow all the grass down to the same height.
Inching into fall, mid-length grass is the preference. In winter, tall grass can get matted down by snow and will not suffer from being left in a slightly longer state.
By knowing your lawn mower’s maximum cutting height and familiarizing yourself with the specific needs of the grass in your yard, you can ensure that your lawn looks its best regardless of the season.
The Benefits of Keeping Your Lawn at a Reasonable Height
Keeping your lawn at a reasonable height has many benefits. Mowing your lawn regularly helps to maintain its overall health by promoting grass growth and preventing weed growth.
Your lawn will also look more aesthetically pleasing when mowed to an appropriate height, as it will appear well-groomed and manicured.
Additionally, cutting your lawn at a reasonable height helps to reduce the risk of pests and diseases taking hold, as long grass can become a breeding ground for harmful pests and diseases.
Lastly, keeping your lawn at a reasonable height will help promote water retention in the soil, reducing the need for water during dry periods.
The Pros and Cons of Cutting Taller Grass with a Lawn Mower
Cutting taller grass with a lawn mower has both pros and cons. On the one hand, it can be done in a pinch if you don’t have access to a larger mower or trimmer.
Additionally, it is easier to maneuver a lawn mower than other mowers, making it well-suited for cutting taller grass in small areas.
On the other hand, cutting taller grass with a lawn mower is more labor-intensive than with other mowers.
Then it would help if you considered that your blades may not cut through the grass evenly, and the cut pieces may be uneven and patchy.
Further, it is more difficult to make tight turns when cutting tall grass with a lawn mower, making it more challenging to achieve a uniform cut.
How to Adjust the Height of Your Lawn Mower Blades
Cutting grass to an ideal height is an integral part of lawn care, and adjusting the height of your lawn mower blades is easy and can be done quickly.
Most modern lawnmowers have a lever or knob that adjusts the height of the blade.
Check your mower’s manual for specific instructions on adjusting the blade height. Generally, you can adjust the blade height by adjusting the lever or knob on your mower.
Once you have adjusted the blade height, ensure all four wheels are on the same level before you mow. This will ensure that you get an even cut across your lawn.
Also, ensure you use the proper settings for your particular type of grass. Some grasses need to be cut higher than others.
For example, cool-season grasses should be cut at two inches, while warm-season grasses should be cut at the height of three inches.
Types of Lawn Mowers That Can Cut Taller Grass
When cutting tall grass, your lawn mower can make a big difference. Reel mowers and electric mowers are designed for cutting grass up to 6 inches tall while riding mowers are designed for grass up to 8 inches tall.
- Reel mowers, like this Fiskars brand, are an excellent option for small yards, as they’re lightweight and maneuverable. They’re also quieter than their electric counterparts.
- Electric mowers, like this Makita brand, are ideal for larger yards, as they’re more powerful and can easily cut through thicker grass.
- Riding mowers, like the Husqvarna one above, are the best for yards with tall grass, as they can cut through up to 8 inches tall.
However, they are more expensive and require more upkeep than a reel or electric mower.
When choosing a lawn mower, consider the height of the grass you’ll be cutting and the size of your yard.
Safety Tips for Cutting Tall Grass with a Lawn Mower
When cutting tall grass with a lawn mower, safety is essential. Always wear safety goggles and long sleeves to protect yourself from flying debris.
Take your time while mowing, as tall grass can be challenging to maneuver. Clear any obstacles, like rocks or sticks that may be in the way before mowing.
Inspect your lawn mower blades before using them, as they may become dull over time and require sharpening for optimal results.
It’s also important to pay attention to the weather conditions. Avoid mowing when wet or rainy, as this can be dangerous and lead to slippery surfaces.
Finally, always use caution when operating a lawn mower and read the user manual for instructions on proper use.
The Best Time to Cut Your Tall Grass with a Lawn Mower
The best time of year to cut your tall grass with a lawn mower depends on the type of grass that you have.
Cool-season grasses, such as fescues and bluegrasses, need to be cut at a higher height during winter. In spring, these grasses should be mowed at a height of about three inches. Your tall grass should be cut to about two inches in the summer months.
Warm-season grasses, such as bermudagrass, St Augustinegrass, and centipedegrass, should be mowed at a higher height during summer. In spring and fall, these grasses should be cut to a height of about three inches. During winter, your tall grass should be cut to about two inches.
It is important to note that the ideal mowing height for your lawn depends on the type of grass you have and the current weather conditions.
Check with your lawn care professionals to determine the best mowing height for your grass type and weather conditions.
Conclusion: Maximizing Efficiency When Cutting tall grass With a lawn mower
When cutting tall grass with a lawn mower, it is essential to adjust the blade height and the type of mower for the best result.
Knowing the ideal cutting height for your particular type of grass is critical, and understanding the pros and cons of cutting taller grass can help you make an informed decision.
Additionally, selecting the correct type of mower and following safety tips are also important factors that should be considered.
By taking these points into account, you can maximize efficiency when cutting tall grass with a lawn mower.
Posted on Published: December 29, 2022. Last updated: April 29, 2023
About Me
I bought my first house in Elk Grove right after the housing implosion in 2008, I got a good deal but prior had only experience with apartments and definitely learned loads.
We sold there and moved to Texas later to follow employment and I was able to get a far nicer space built for enjoyment and entertainment and continue to learn little tasks and needs.
This site is my way to share them with you and hopefully help you skip out on the pitfalls and problems I have experienced!
Mowing Height Debate: Last Mow of the Season Low?
There has long been a debate on the best height to cut the grass when it comes to the final mowing of the lawn before winter. Some say it should be cut lower than normal. Others say it should be cut the same height as usual. We’ll examine both sides of this mowing height debate and let you decide whether the last mow of the season should be lower or at the normal height.
Why Some Say Yes
When it comes time to make you final mow of the season, the argument goes, trim low:
- It prevents the laying over of grass during the winter.
- It helps prevent snow mold (a fungus that occurs under the cover of snow) by denying it the long, wet grass it needs to develop. The principal snow mold diseases are Microdochium patch, Coprinus snow mold, Typhula blight, and snow scald.
- It is an organic way to fight fungal growths of winter, no fungicides required. It should be followed by mowing low with the first cut of spring.
- There is less growth that needs to be pushed aside by new grass in spring.
- It discourages meadow mice. The furry pests, also called voles, leave tunnels in your lawn you won’t find until after the snow cover melts.
- Aesthetics: “A lawn just looks neater if it has that close cut before the snow settles down,” writes respected New York Times gardening columnist Joan Lee Faust.
- Allows more sunlight to reach the soil, which means warmer soil temps and an earlier green-up in spring.
- Removes dead grass blades and debris
- A natural way to encourage healthier grass, avoiding the use of chemicals
- Reduces thatch levels
Those making the argument recommend these guidelines:
- Instead of following the one-third rule, cut the lawn by half. So instead of going from 4 inches deep to 2 ½, go from 4 inches tall to 2 inches.
- Be careful not to cut it too low; those low patches will die before spring
- Mow until all the leaves have fallen from the trees
- Mow until the grass has stopped growing for the year.
Why Some Say No
Setting mowing height too low can damage your lawn, other experts say:
- Keep it normal when it comes to mowing height. Turf should neither be cut short nor left long going into winter.
- The root systems become shorter and smaller, limiting the grass’ ability to pull in water and nutrients from the soil. This is because there is a direct relationship between the grass height and the amount of roots it can maintain. Lowering that grass height is the direct cause of the lessened root system.
- Mowing too close allows sunlight to reach weeds that otherwise would have been covered by the canopy.
- Low mowing reduces the area available for photosynthesis, which takes away from the vigor of the lawn.
- Aesthetics: Lawns “look much better” when they are higher (take that, lovers of short grass), according to the University of Illinois Extension.
The One-Third Rule: Learn It
For most of the year (with the possible exception of the last mow) the One-Third Rule is sound advice. The One-Third Rule says never remove more than one-third of your grass on any cutting.
Adhere to the one-third rule, and cut your grass down in increments. This will reduce the amount of stress you put on the grass as it grows throughout the year.
Mowing Heights by Type of Grass
The University of Minnesota Extension Service says homeowners should keep mowing grass at the proper mowing height until it stops growing. Follow these proper mowing heights for healthy grass during spring, summer, and fall.
Cool-Season Grasses
“With cool-season turf grasses like the blue grasses, rye grasses, and tall fescue, I recommend mowing at the same height that has been done through the summer and fall,” says Karl Danneberger, Ph.D., professor at the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science at The Ohio State University. “The key thing is to keep mowing until you no longer are taking off clippings.”
The University of Missouri Extension recommends that cool-season grasses should be mowed at the same height “until growth stops” before winter.
The University of Nebraska Extension agrees, stating, “Never remove more than one-third of the total canopy height at one time,” even as you prepare for winter.
Warm-Season Grasses
Warm-season grasses such as Zoysia and St. Augustine might benefit from a little more length, but should be kept within the recommended height range, according to the University of Tennessee Extension: “Higher mowing heights within the preferred mowing height range for a particular species favor the development of strong roots and rhizomes.”
Bermudagrass is not shade-tolerant and is intended to be cut shorter (as short as one inch), according to the University of Clemson Extension.
“On warm-season turfgrasses like Bermudagrass, I would begin to raise the mowing height up a little,” says Danneberger. “This would be especially important in the more northern region of its adaptation going into fall. A slightly higher height of cut will enhance the plant’s ability to tolerate winter injury a little better. Also…mowing short going into winter may inhibit fall photosynthetic activity.”
Put Proper Mowing Practices First
Tired of all the minutiae? Keep this in mind: Good lawn care practices matter more than trying to get your grass height within a millimeter of some golf-course ideal.
- Keep a mowing frequency that never lets the grass get too tall. You want to hit that balance between encouraging root growth (good) and encouraging weed heads to seed (bad).
- Leave your grass clippings in the lawn as mulch. Mulching beats bagging because the cut grass blades return valuable nitrogen to the soil.
- Vary your mowing pattern. Grass leans in the direction of the lawn mower, so it eventually becomes uneven. Mowing in a different direction also prevents you from wearing ruts into the lawn. That’s a particular issue for heavy riding mowers.
- Sharpen lawn mower blades regularly. Dull blades damage lawn grasses, as they pull and shred rather than cut.
Once the grass stops growing, winterize that lawn mower before turning your attention to the leaf blower or snow plow. Your lawn will high-five you with spring green.
FAQs
You should never mow your lawn in winter if you can help it, as you could damage the dormant grass. However, if you absolutely must mow during winter, do so when the grass is dry and frost is not anticipated for at least 48 hours.
Keep on mowing until the grass stops growing. For most places, the rule of thumb is that it comes when temperatures during the day fall below 50 F, usually late in October.
Yes, mowing low helps prevent snow mold and excessive thatch, both of which contribute to disease in the lawn.
Yes, cutting wet grass isn’t recommended. There aren’t many days available at the end of the year to mow the lawn, and a number of them can be wet (and all of them cold). But you will have to pass up the temptation to mow despite the wetness. When wet grass is cut, it can result in ragged edges that are prone to fungal infections. Plus, the roots can be pulled out, leaving bare spots.
Go Low? Yes or No?
There is a debate on what height you should use on your final mow of the season. There was a time when the standard advice was to cut it short for winter. Now the best advice is to cut it the same as always.
But make no mistake: It is your lawn. YOU should make the decision on what to do with it. Don’t let it go. Take action and make a decision on what length for the final mow of the season is best for your lawn. If you’d rather have someone else do the work, call a local LawnStarter pro to make the final cut.
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Rosie Wolf Williams has kept bees, grown vegetables and flowers for farmers markets, and never misses an opportunity to have a conversation with an interesting tree.
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What is the ideal cutting height for a robotic lawnmower?
The question of the ideal cutting height for a lawn drives many garden owners crazy. And yet it cannot be answered definitively because not all lawn types are the same. There are even special rules that apply in summer heat. This makes it all the more important to take the required flexibility into account when buying a robotic lawnmower.
Elegant ornamental lawns or robust commercial lawns, dry summer periods or the first cut after winter: there are many factors that influence the ideal cutting height of the lawn. Unfortunately, it is not always consistent after you have decided on a lawn type. In order to be prepared for all these situations, it seems quite reasonable to attach importance to maximum flexibility when buying the robotic lawnmower.
Adjusting the cutting height of the robotic lawnmower
The adjustment of the cutting height is not much different from that of a conventional lawn mower. Sometimes an adjustment knob is located under the cover, sometimes on the side or on the bottom of the device. With some robotic mowers, the cutting height can also be conveniently adjusted via a display. The manufacturer’s instructions will tell you where to find the cutting height setting on your model. The cutting height is adjusted either in steps or progressively. Manufacturers usually specify the minimum and maximum cutting height here. The larger the range, the more flexible your robotic lawnmower.
Often, many robotic lawnmowers only have a cutting height between 20 and 60 millimeters and are not necessarily suitable for shade lawns. Other models have a range between 20 and 100 millimeters, offer maximum flexibility during any season and work for any type of lawn. However, no robot on the market mows a lawn shorter than 15 millimeters.
Since frequent mowing by the robotic mower can slightly weaken a law, ideally a cutting length from 30-40 millimeters is recommended in practice.
Pendulum suspended mowing deck. perfect cutting results
Most ground areas are not completely level. A rigid mowing deck cannot follow the contours of the surface, so the lawn is not the same length everywhere. A robotic lawnmower with a pendulum-mounted cutting deck always follows the surface leaving the lawn evenly cut everywhere and is characterized by a perfect cutting pattern.
Which cutting height for which type of lawn?
In most gardens, a lawn should not only look fantastic, but it is also used for playing, sunbathing or barbecuing. Accordingly, at the time of sowing, choose a durable, robust commercial or play lawn. In order to avoid additional strain on your lawn, cutting heights of 35-55 millimeters are recommended. A lush green ornamental lawn, on the other hand, is characterized by its dense growth and fine grass blades. The green is only suitable for loading to a limited extent, as it is much more sensitive than a commercial lawn. Thus, the blades can tolerate extremely low cutting depths starting at 2 centimeters. Please note: let the lawn grow longer during dry periods. Otherwise the blades will turn brown very quickly. Ornamental lawns especially should be watered correctly.
Shade lawns are another type and should be kept particularly long with a cutting length of around 60 to 70 millimeters. This will ensure that photosynthesis takes place on leaf surface of the blades.
Special cutting heights for special occasions
In principle, the type of lawn serves as a good guideline for the choice of cutting height. However, there are always situations that require exceptions to this basic rule.
- Before dethatching, mow the lawn as low as possible, i.e. even commercial lawns may be cut down to 2 centimeters.
- During prolonged droughts in summer, lawns develop a natural protective layer to prevent excessive drying. You should not destroy this layer by excessively mowing your lawn. This practice will simultaneously protect the soil from drying out even more. over, choose a longer cutting length during this period.
- Cut the lawn back to about 40 to 50 millimeters during the last cut of fall/autumn. This way, the blades will not bend under the weight of snow in the winter.
- In spring, the lawn starts to grow when temperatures rise. Wait with the first cut until temperatures are permanently around 10°C or above. Then cut off no more than 1/3 of the blade length. The gradually work your way to the desired length.
- Freshly seeded lawns should first grow to a length of about 8-10 centimeters before you can mow them directly down to 5 centimeters.
Avoiding the wrong cutting height
Cutting the lawn too low or too high will inhibit its growth.
- If the blades grow too high and are cut infrequently, fewer side shoots will form. The lawn will then become less dense. Furthermore, there will be more room for weeds and moss to grow, which can spread particularly quickly.
- If cut too deeply, too much sunlight will reach the soil surface. Not only does this cause the soil to dry out faster, but it also encourages weed growth.
Regular cutting is therefore important and ideal for the use of a robotic mower.
If necessary, adjust the cutting intervals to the growth rate of the lawn. In spring, for example, lawns grow much faster than during a dry summer. From early to mid-November, on the other hand, the lawn hibernates and should not be mowed at all.
/3 rule for a healthy lawn
No matter how long the lawn is after vacations or winter breaks, it’s important that you remove no more than 1/3 of the blade length per mowing. If you go beyond that, grass clippings will remove too many nutrients from, and it will become more susceptible to disease.
There is no one ideal cutting height for lawns, but there is a perfect robotic lawnmower for all cutting heights. When buying, choose a model that offers maximum flexibility for every occasion so you can give your lawn what it needs in every situation.
