Proper Mowing
Proper mowing does not simply mean cutting the yard each week or every ten days. It means mowing with a sharp blade every time. A dull blade leaves the ends of the grass torn, which leaves an entry for fungus disease.
When you mow, only remove the top third of the grass blade. Mowing a lawn lower than this is commonly referred to as scalping. Scalping the lawn removes the protective leaf blade of the grass. The grass blade offers cover for the roots and runners, which are damaged from exposure to traffic, sun, insects and drought. Scalping the lawn also encourages shallow root growth. Turf grass with shallow roots cannot easily withstand drought conditions. Mowing a lawn too low will also result in weed infestations because you will be left with a weaker turf stand and there is nothing to inhibit the germination of weed seeds in a weak stand.
It is important to bag the clippings every time you mow, if weeds or disease are present. Returning the grass cuttings to the lawn when disease is present only spreads the fungus over the lawn. Likewise, if weeds are present, the weed seeds will be spread over the extent of the lawn every time you mow. Do not be fooled by mulching mowers. No mulcher, no matter how small, will destroy weed seeds in the mulching process. The elimination of weeds will never be realized if clippings are not bagged and removed every time.
Alter your mowing pattern from time to time to avoid creating ruts.
Click here to see the Mowing article by Duval County Extension Agent Erin Harlow
