Mowing Isn't Exactly A Gas, But It Helps Keep Your Lawn Healthy
Tuesday, May 13, 1997
FORT COLLINS--For millions of Americans, the primary rite of
spring centers on rolling out the trusty lawn mower for four
months of weekend labor.
"Mowing may be a thankless chore, but it reaps benefits when
done correctly," says Tony Koski, Colorado State University
Cooperative Extension turfgrass specialist. "Those who want a
nice lawn often are overly concerned with fertilizing and
watering. But proper mowing also is an important step toward
obtaining strong, vigorous grass that resists disease and weeds."
Koski recommends homeowners check their mower blades before
they cut their grass for the first time. "You want to get a
precise, clean cut. If you haven't had your blade sharpened in a
year or two, it probably needs it. Most lawn and garden centers
can sharpen the blade or suggest someone who will do it for a
reasonable fee. You may want to buy an extra blade and put it on
while the original is being sharpened. That way, you can more
easily change the blade halfway through the season."
You"ll also want to make sure your mower is adjusted to the
proper height. Two to three inches is ideal. According to Koski,
you may think you're saving time by cutting grass shorter, but
this can make lawns more susceptible to heat, disease and drought
stress.
"A rule of thumb is that you shouldn't take off more than
one-third of the leaf blade at one time. Otherwise, you may scalp
the grass and make it more vulnerable to stress."
Your lawn's growth rate should determine how often you mow.
In the spring, you may have to mow more than once a week. By
June, growth will slow down so you won't need to mow as often.
Sometimes, prolonged periods of rain make it impossible to
mow. In that case, when the sun comes out, cut the grass with the
mower blade at its highest possible setting. You can mow again a
few days later with the blade lowered to the desired height.
Koski recommends you leave grass clippings on the lawn or
compost them. An estimated 20 percent of landfills are made up of
such yard debris as tree leaves, hedge prunings and grass
clippings. "Recycling clippings not only is civic-minded, it's
beneficial to the lawn and saves the work involved in raking or
bagging. You also can reduce fertilizer needs by as much as
one-third if you leave the clippings on the lawn as natural
fertilizer. Small clippings break down easily, releasing nitrogen
and other nutrients back into the soil."
If no herbicides have been applied to the grass, homeowners
can rake the clippings and use them as mulch. Composting is
another option.
"If you combine clippings with tree leaves, which ordinarily
don't have enough nitrogen, the two sources of yard waste will
complement each other in the composting process," Koski says.
For additional information, contact the Colorado State
University Cooperative Extension office in your county or visit
our web site at http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/.
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