Summer Mowing Tips

It's the heart of lawn-mowing season and a good time to check your mower and mowing practices to make sure you're getting the best cut. Proper mowing not only keeps your lawn looking its best, it also keeps it healthier with fewer weeds. Here are some summer mowing tips:

Mow high. Mowing at the upper end of the recommended mowing height for your grass type encourages deeper roots and better heat and drought tolerance since the grass helps shade the soil to reduce evaporation and maximize soil moisture content. This is a critical area which can help reduce the need for more frequent watering. Set your mower at 1-1/2 inches high for common Bermuda; 1-inch high for hybrid Bermuda; 3 inches high for tall fescue; 2-1/2 inches for Kentucky bluegrass; and 2-1/2 to 3 inches for St. Augustine.

Mow often. Mow when the lawn reaches about 1/3 higher than the recommended mowing height. For example, mow tall fescue when it reaches about 4 inches high.

Keep blades sharp and maintain mower. Sharp blades give you a cleaner cut. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for sharpening blades and other mower maintenance. Or, if you have a rotary mower, simply replace the blade with a new one.

Alternate mowing directions. This will help prevent ruts from developing.

Mow grass only when it's dry. Mowing grass when it's wet usually produces a very uneven cut. The wet grass clippings can also clump leaving a mess on the lawn and underneath your mower.

Safety first. Keep yourself and your children safe. Review and follow manufacturer's safety instructions.

If weeds still persist in your lawn this summer use Bayer Advanced™ All-In-One Weed Killer for Lawns Concentrate (product discontinued) to help control them. It won't harm your lawn, but still kills annoying broadleaf as well as grassy weeds such as crabgrass.