Getting the most out of cutting your grass

The type of yard work that’s required for your lawn may be drastically different from your neighbor’s, but there is one lawn chore that every homeowner has to regularly perform: Cutting grass. Cutting grass is an unavoidable chore, and while it doesn’t have to be complicated you may be over simplifying this task. If you cut your grass correctly, it will be much healthier and easier to manage – but there is a small amount of research required to figure out the best cutting methods for your lawn.

A simple guide to cutting grass

Cutting grass isn’t hard, in fact it is one of the easiest tasks you’ll perform in your lawn. You may be used to cutting your grass every other week, or perhaps every third week, but unfortunately the schedule that you should follow may not be as simple as you think. When you cut your grass has very little to do with how much time has passed since the last mow, and much more to do with the new growth that has occurred.

The exact rules are slightly different for each type of grass, and the grass in your lawn could be one of many different varieties. If you are unsure about the type of seed or sod that was planted in your lawn, take the time to figure this out before you make any plans for cutting grass or performing various types of lawn treatments. Though there may be slight differences, the general rule for cutting grass is that you should only remove 1/3rd of the total height of your grass with each mow.

This isn’t all of the calculation that’s required for mowing your lawn, however. First you must establish the ideal height of your lawn, when you remove a third of the length you want the final product to be this ideal size. Each type of grass has it’s own ideal height, but here is a basic guide for some of the most common varieties of lawn covering:

• Fescue grass: 1 ½ – 2 inches in the fall and spring, and 2-3 inches during summer months
• Bermuda grass: ½ – 1 ½ inches
• Kentucky bluegrass: 2 – 3 inches
• Zoysia grass: 1 ½ – 2 inches
• Bentgrass: No taller than ½ inch

There are many more varieties of grass, as well as additional styles of each of the grasses that are listed above. All of these will have their own unique ideal mowing height, so make sure to familiarize yourself with the best mowing practices for the grass that’s been planted in your lawn before you get started.

Edging can make cutting grass easier

If you have flower beds or ornamentals planted in your lawn, you should consider investing in edging. This makes cutting grass and weed eating much easier, and greatly reduces the chances of you accidentally clipping your ornamentals while mowing. Edging comes in many forms, some of which are much more cost effective than others. Plastic, metal, and wooden edging are all common, but one simple way that you can make your own edging requires no more than bricks.

Bricks can be bought for very little cost, and all you need to do is line them up along your ornamentals. If you have a bigger budget, you may consider getting in touch with a landscaping company. They can install all sorts of edging, including ground-level mower paths that make it much easier to cut grass along the edges of your lawn. All varieties of edging can be installed by a homeowner. A representative at your local gardening center can recommend the best style for your lawn and budget, as well as give you all sorts of tips for installing these products in your yard.