How Often Should You Cut Your Grass?

How Often Should You Cut Your Grass? 

Lawn maintenance is fundamental for lush green grass. Regular mowing produces soft grass to walk on and prevents your lawn from becoming more like a prairie. You know that lawn mowing is essential, but how often should you cut your grass? When is the grass too long or too short?

Letting grass grow too long

If your lawn is developing brown spots after mowing, you might be tempted to let the grass grow longer than you did last time. Doing so, however, can be detrimental to the health of your lawn. The greenest part of the grass is at the top of the grass blade and is also where it grows and produces energy from sunlight. If you cut your grass after letting it grow too long, you’ve essentially removed the parts the plant uses to produce food. Additionally, the grass blades will be too long to use as effective mulch.

Cutting grass too short

While allowing grass to grow too long can be unhealthy, cutting it too short can be similarly damaging. Grass cut too short can develop a weak root system, reducing its ability to absorb nutrients from the soil and decreasing the effectiveness of fertilizer and mulch.

The one-third rule

The general rule of thumb is to not cut your grass more than one-third of the grass blade height. If your grass is long, raise the height of the mower blade and cut only one-third of the grass until it’s at a healthy height—and then mow regularly to keep it there. Cutting any more than one-third may damage your lawn. Healthy grass height is about 3 to 3.5 inches.

Mowing frequency

To cut only one-third of the grass while keeping it at a height of about 3 to 3.5 inches, begin mowing once your lawn’s grass is about 4 to 4.5 inches. Your grass won’t grow too long, and you leave the small clippings behind after you mow to use as mulch.

For a green lawn you’ll be proud of, cut no more than one-third of the grass at least once a week! Looking for quality lawn equipment to make your yard shine? Stephens Garage is proud to serve Luverne and the surrounding community for its small engine, outdoor equipment and auto service needs. Come see us today on Forest Avenue in Luverne, or visit us at www.stephensgarageluverne.com!