On Mon, 3 May 2004 20:40:17 -0500, "RoyDMercer"
wrote:
"Peter H" wrote in message
. net.cable.rogers.com...
"GFRfan" wrote in message
...
wrote:
Hi Everyone,
Today is Monday, I mowed on Friday, and everyone else around me mowed
in the last 3 days also. My yard looks overgrown compared to my
neighbors already. Am I mowing too high?
Types of grass: blue grass, Tall Fescue, and perenial rye.
I cut at 3" to 3-1/2"
Thanks for the feedback, please post your replies here.
later,
tom
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I don't know where you are or how short your neighbors cut their lawn
but for an answer, in July, look at your lawn and then look at your
neighbors lawn. That will be your answer. I'm betting yours will look a
lot healthier. Most people cut their lawn way too short and then rely on
chemicals to control weeds. With the longer lawn, you smother most weeds
and shade the ground, which also helps keep the roots cooler and
conserves moisture. 2" is my minimum but 3" to 3 1/2" is not
unreasonable in my area.
--
Yard and Garden Handyman
I respectfully disagree. With your type of grass the shorter you cut it,
to
a degree at least, the more grass plants you will get per square foot and
the thicker your lawn will get. Kentucky Bluegrass seems to do best at
about
1 1/2".
When I first got into the business, about 15 years ago, I chanted the same
old mantra that everyone else did. Cut your grass longer, water less
frequently but deeper, aerate annually, mulch your clippings. What I found
was that a longer lawn will encourage a thinner lawn and insect and
disease
growth as well. I ended up with only a few recommendations.
- only cut 1/3 of the blade each time you cut
- water sparingly, if at all and water in the early morning
- ALWAYS suspect an insect when your lawn is suffering
- only fertilize in the spring and fall, never in the summer
- cut it a wee bit shorter for the last cut of the year
- blanket spray the weeds at 1/2 the recommended rate twice a year,
once
in spring and once in the fall.
That's my perspective anyway.
Peter H
Actually mowing higher will prevent some weed growth because the taller
grass will shade the soil which prevents weed seeds from germinating.
However keeping grass mowed shorter encourages deeper root growth and
thicker lawns, which prevents weeds also.
I have a warm season grass (Bermuda) I leave it tall in the fall and
throughout the winter and early spring (when the grass is dormant) and weeds
are actively trying to germinate. Later in the spring when the grass starts
to come out of dormancy, I gradually cut it lower each time until I reach 1
1/2 inches. I leave it short throughout the growing season for the reasons
you mentioned. Proper mowing height is dependant on what type of grass you
have. Hybrid Bermuda does well cut as short as 1/2", but some grass
varieties need to be as much as 3-4" to do well.
I prefer to use pre-emergent products to prevent weeds rather than blanket
spraying for them. Whatever makes it past the pre-emergence, I spot treat.
You are very correct about cutting no more than 1/3rd of the blade's height.
I actually shoot for 1/4 of the blade's height. So right now I'm mowing
every 3-4 days. The shorter your grass is the more often you need to mow.
Also, the shorter you mow your lawn, the less water it needs to stay
healthy.
The Shorter the mowing, less watering? I heard shorter the grass more
likely it will dry out. Can you explain?
thx,
tom
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