What is best for my beloved lawn ?

[jmurray01]

To leave it until it gets quite long and give it a good cut, or to give it frequent cuts when it is only a little too long ?

I'd think the frequent cuts would be best, as cutting a lawn when the grass is quite long would cause some "tugging" wouldn't it ?

Thanks in advance! :smile:

 

[LandN]

google the 1/3 cutting rule and check it out.i believe cutting often is good for the lawn ESPECIALLY with sharp blades.i have as of late been cutting 1/8" clippings about every 2 days or so,with a reel mower,and still experimenting with different lengths of grass,still no longer than 2"-2 1/2"

 

[ha4145]

i cut my lawn every 6 days on the lowest setting and have been doing for the last few years before then i tried cutting it every 3 weeks when it wasd very long this did not work as the grass was getting shocked and was dying of hope this helps!

 

[jmurray01]

Frequent cutting is the answer then!

Thanks! :thumbsup:

 

[Xave]

Frequent cuts is correct and I agree with the first reply above. Cutting off just the tip of the grass will help your lawn stay hydrated, protected from summers intense heat/sun and looking greener. Generally it is recommended to keep your lawn 3 to 3.5 inches during the summer. Have fun

 

[benski]

Frequent cutting, in late afternoon or early evening, with sharp blades, is the preferred method, I understand. You don't want to remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade at any one mowing. Also, water early in the morning, if you can. Just like us, they don't like going to bed with wet, cold feet and hair.:biggrin::thumbsup: Morning watering promotes a healthier, more disease-free lawn.

 

[Sammy the Red]

The 1/3 rule ........ is hardly ever followed and in most cases, does not matter.

Frequent cutting is the correct answer.

 

[Ric]

The 1/3 rule is what most study's say is the correct cutting procedure to use but is very seldom followed. Frequency of cut and the height of the grass would depend on what type of grass you're cutting.

Take St Augustine for example, there are nine different types of St Augustine and the cutting heights range from 2 to 4" and most are recommended to be cut at 6 day intervals, Recommended cutting height for Bermuda grass 1 to 1 1/2" at like 3 day intervals and should be done with a reel type mower. Bahia grass has a different height and the list goes on. Most all grasses have different cutting heights and intervals and if you want to throw another wrench into the works, location can play a big part.

The reason that most study's say to use the 1/3 rule is because grass clippings are 90% water and the remaining 10% is very degradable and should according to study's never bagged because grass clippings contain an estimated 4% nitrogen that can be returned to the grass plant if they are allowed to remain on the lawn. To remove more than 1/3 of the total length as someone else stated would or could supposedly shock the grass and expose the root system to sun, wind and decease and could cause permanent damage.

So what is best for your beloved lawn, I would find out what type of grass you're cutting and do a search and find out the recommended height and cutting interval.

 

[wjjones]

The 1/3 rule is what most study's say is the correct cutting procedure to use but is very seldom followed. Frequency of cut and the height of the grass would depend on what type of grass you're cutting.

Take St Augustine for example, there are nine different types of St Augustine and the cutting heights range from 2 to 4" and most are recommended to be cut at 6 day intervals, Recommended cutting height for Bermuda grass 1 to 1 1/2" at like 3 day intervals and should be done with a reel type mower. Bahia grass has a different height and the list goes on. Most all grasses have different cutting heights and intervals and if you want to throw another wrench into the works, location can play a big part.

The reason that most study's say to use the 1/3 rule is because grass clippings are 90% water and the remaining 10% is very degradable and should according to study's never bagged because grass clippings contain an estimated 4% nitrogen that can be returned to the grass plant if they are allowed to remain on the lawn. To remove more than 1/3 of the total length as someone else stated would or could supposedly shock the grass and expose the root system to sun, wind and decease and could cause permanent damage.

So what is best for your beloved lawn, I would find out what type of grass you're cutting and do a search and find out the recommended height and cutting interval.

Your right there really are alot of factors to consider..

 

[JimmyTheGlove]

If you have some weed issues like Sand Burrs (gosh I hope you don't), mowing frequently is an absolute must in effort to exterminate.
Other than that, mowing less frequently and not chopping your lawn down too far, is effective if you want to conserve water.
I mow once a week but I leave the lawn 2 1/2 to 3 inches long so it retains water better so that I don't have to water it as often. I'm pretty sure it's better for the grass to be mowed consistently, but not necessarily frequently.