More Mowing Month of May Makes Grass Grow Greener,
Weeds Wither Away

It happens every spring. You can mow once a week and still seem to get behind. Don’t worry; hotter days ahead will slow that pace. But for now, focus on mowing quickly, efficiently, and often. Don’t make it a big job. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect. Just mow, and make it twice a week if you can.

My first lawn, like so many, was on some pretty poor soil. It was only a couple of years old and poorly established when I got it, but the weeds were healthy, so there was still a chance that someday I could grow grass on it. My neighbor liked to make fun of my yard. I can still hear her taunting, "Hey neighbor! Mowin’ your weeds?:

"Yes," I’d have to reply. After all, it was a natural yard, and, yes, I really was mowing my weeds. I hope a few of you enjoy some of our native weeds. After all, they are a part of our heritage, and the spring beauties in our yard this year are magnificent. My wife actually enjoys the dandelions, but I dig them up when I can. Here are a few tips that are especially important for your natural lawn. They also just happen to be the key to any healthy lawn.

Many weeds can be controlled effectively by frequent damage from cutting. You are more likely to kill grass, on the other hand, by cutting low and removing too much of the leaf surface at one time; and, that’s what happens when you put off mowing for two weeks, especially this time of year.

It’s really pretty simple. Mowing low every two weeks favors weeds. Mowing high about twice a week favors grass. Just think "frequent trim." If you cut off enough grass to really need to rake or bag clippings, then you are probably waiting too long to mow.

Most push mowers have a variety of height settings, and most recent models allow you to change the height in less than a minute. I have discovered that these height settings typically vary from "way too low" all the way up to "just about right."

With the engine off (Yard Safety Considerations, Volume 8, No. 4, April 2002), adjust the wheels all the way up. Now, keep an eye on the yard, and time mowing so that you are cutting off only about 1/3 of the total length of the grass. The benefits are amazing. There is no longer any need for a rake or a bagger or a more powerful mower. I also finish mowing in 35 or 40 minutes instead of an hour because I never have to wait for the mower to catch its breath after choking on that big gulp of overgrown grass and soil I had hoped it could swallow. Scalding is virtually eliminated, and I’ve discovered that the lawn mower blade stays sharper when you keep it out of the soil - imagine that. Sharpen blades frequently. Grass looks better when cut cleanly with a sharp blade, and it will be healthier too.

Finally, leave grass clippings where they are! The popular notion is that they might cause a thatched yard that will be susceptible to disease and injury. Most yards will, indeed, have some thatching, but the cause of that is primarily from roots and stems near the soil surface. Grass clippings decompose quickly and provide a natural source of nutrients to the soil. Try these tips, and, naturally, I hope you enjoy your yard in 2002.

Bill Casady, Ag Engineering Extension and Commercial Agriculture Program, UMC (573) 882-4370