Best Lawn Mowing Practices Author Virginia Green Category Lawn Care Estimated Reading Time 4 Minutes

Lawn mowing is an important and vital step in your lawn care journey. Before moving on to more advanced techniques, let's touch on lawn care basics such as understanding grass type needs, when you should mow new grass and basic safety precautions.

Topics Index

• Grass Types and Mowing Needs
• When to Mow New Grass
• Safety and Maintenance Tips
• Understanding Basic Lawn Mowing

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Grass Types and Mowing Needs

Before you get started mowing your lawn, it’s important to understand the types of grass you might be caring for in your yard. Specifically, you’ll most likely encounter Tall Fescue and Bermuda grass with your local lawn care.

Tall Fescue has deep roots which allows it to protect itself from heat and drought stress and it generally stays green throughout the year. It is suited as cool-season grass and can handle some shade but does require more maintenance, especially in the heat of summer. Without proper watering in intense heat, Tall Fescue can brown but will grow back over time. When mowing your Tall Fescue, consider that the higher the leaf blade it has, the deeper the roots it can generate. These root systems are the nervous system and anchor for your grass and the stronger they are the stronger your lawn will be. It is our general rule of thumb to keep your tall fescue at 3 ½ to 4 inches in length.

Bermuda grass has many benefits like Tall Fescue but enters dormancy in the winter and stops growing as a natural defense mechanism. Bermuda is a warm-season grass that thrives in full-sun, offering superior drought protection. A good lawn mowing habit with Bermuda grass is to mow often as it has a fast growth rate. You can generally mow Bermuda grass anywhere from 1 ½ inches in length to 3 ½ inches if you are mowing consistently. If the lawn begins to show signs of browning, consider mowing your Bermuda grass taller.

• Tall Fescue requires 3 ½ to 4 inches cut. Its deep roots allow it to protect itself from heat and drought stress. The higher the leaf blade, the deeper your roots will be. Higher ride height and more frequent mowing will encourage a healthier lawn.
• Bermuda grass also needs consistent mowing – 1 to 2 times a week. Height can be from 1 ½ inches to 2 ½ if you are mowing consistently. If the lawn begins to brown or die off, consider a taller Bermuda grass mowing height.

When to Mow New Grass

When should you mow your new lawn? If you have just planted a new lawn, it’s good practice to let it grow for some time before trimming. Good lawn care combines proven science with thoughtful maintenance practices.

It is our suggestion that a new lawn should be mowed only after growing past 3 ½ inches in length. The first mowing should take off about a third of this length. By mowing your new lawn further, you risk putting the grass into shock. Depending on the type of grass seed you planted and the climate, this initial mowing should take place after about a month.

Safety and Maintenance Tips

Proper lawn mowing and care requires a high level of safety and equipment maintenance. By having a good understanding of general safety practices, you can prevent bodily injury as well as equipment failure and malfunction. First, it is important to wear the correct protective gear when mowing your lawn, such as gloves, safety glasses and sturdy shoes. Always keep your hands and feet far from the blade of your mower and string trimmer. Areas to take great care of include slopes, obstacles and locations where landscaping exists.

Once you understand safety practices, consider the maintenance of your lawn equipment to ensure greater longevity. Always look for loose parts on your lawn mower, make sure the blades are sharp and that the proper fuel levels have been met if you are using a gas-powered mower. Once that’s complete, survey the yard you are mowing. Run through this checklist before beginning:

• Are there any rocks or debris in the path I am mowing?
• Are the pathways I am mowing clear to not damage the mower or send debris flying?
• Will I come across tight areas around landscaping or corners that need special attention?

By asking yourself these questions before mowing your lawn, you can save yourself from injury or costly mechanical repair.

Understanding Basic Lawn Mowing

Here at Virginia Green, we’re excited to guide you on your lawn care journey. By implementing safe and effective practices into your everyday lawn maintenance we can create greener and healthier lawns. Need help with your local lawn care and maintenance? Call or sign-up with Virginia Green to handle all of your lawn needs, here!