Mowing

A well-groomed lawn is better able to resist insects, diseases, and weeds. Follow these guidelines for proper mowing:

• Mow at the right height for your lawn mixture.
• Mow only when the grass is dry.  This will help your lawn and your mower too.
• Mow when the grass grows one-third higher than the recommended height. For example, if the lawn's recommended mowing height is 3 inches, cut it when it is 4 inches high.
• Sharpen mower blades frequently so they do not tear the grass blades. Torn blades give the lawn a whitish cast.
• Never cut off more than half of the grass blade at a mowing. Mowing too short exposes the shaded lower stems to sunlight, causing them to burn and turn brown. If the grass is much too high, reduce its height a little at a time.
• Grass clippings need not be removed if they are able to drop into the lawn out of sight. Clippings do not contribute to thatch. If your lawn is maintained very short, however, or if the clippings sit on top of the grass, remove them to avoid smothering the grass.