Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00001561
11/12/99
Proper Lawn Mowing
Proper lawn mowing involves the interaction of the
height and frequency of mowing.
Most lawns should be mowed no lower than 1 1/2 inches
and up to 3 inches. Shaded lawns need the taller mowing
height. The personal preferences of the homeowner usually
determine the exact height selected.
The lawn should be mowed often enough so that no more
than 1/3 of the leaf area is removed at one time. For
example, a lawn mowed at 1 1/2 inches should be mowed when
the clippings will be less than 1/2 inch long.
It is not necessary to remove the clippings at each
mowing. Clippings do not contribute to thatch
development. Collect the clippings from diseased lawns to
help prevent the spread of the disease. Also collect
excessively long clippings to prevent them from piling up
and shading spots of grass.
Dull mower blades shred the grass blades rather than
cut them. The shredded ends dry out giving the lawn a
brownish cast.
Dead grass appearing in the tire tracks from riding
lawn mowers can be a hot weather problem. These occur
when the lawn was mowed during a time when it was dry.
The injury is most evident where the mower turned corners
or on slopes. The lawn will recover once it starts
growing again.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
This file was generated from data base ZZ on 01/19/00.
Data base ZZ was last revised on 11/12/99.
For more information about this data base or its contents please contact
heatley@msue.msu.edu . Please read our
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