Mowing Tips For Organic Lawn Care (2024)

Mowing Tips For Organic Lawn Care (1)

Torn Grass From Dull Lawn Mower Blades versus Cut Grass From Sharp Mower Blades

Mowing Tip 2: Follow 1/3 Rule

One of the worst things you can do for your lawn is to remove too much of the grass blade in a single mowing. Removing more than 1/3 of the grass blade length in a single mowing will turn the grass brown, stop root growth, and invite in weeds.It is important never to mow more than 1/3 of the grass blade at one time.

If you have clippings on the lawn after you mow and/or the area you've mowed looks worse than the area you haven't mowed, like the picture below, you're probablyremoving too much of the blade so go ahead and raise it.

Mowing Tips For Organic Lawn Care (2)

Mowing Tip 3: Mow High

Not what it sounds like...we're talking about your mower height. Be safe out there!If you only remember one thing about mowing, mowing high should be it. You've seen that mowing high makes it easier to follow the 1/3 rule which will make a huge positive impact on your lawn.

MOWING HIGH HELPS YOU FOLLOW THE 1/3 RULE
Want to mow your lawn less often? If so, mowing high is for you!Let’s assume that you’re going to follow the 1/3 rule. If you mow at 2 inches, that means you can let the lawn grow 1 inch,reaching 3 inches in length, before you need to mow. Now suppose you don’t like mowing the lawn that much, so you decide to mow at 4 inches instead of 2. That means that you can let the lawn grow to 6 inches tall before having to mow. This would allow the grass to grow twice as much, meaning you only have to mow it 1/2 as often, make sense?

MOWING HIGH PREVENTS WEEDS & CRABGRASS
Another benefit of mowing high, is that you’ll be crowding out weeds, like Crabgrass, and also encouraging deeper roots, which will keep your lawn greener during the hot Summer months.

Mowing Tips For Organic Lawn Care (3)

HOW HIGH SHOULD YOU MOW YOUR LAWN?
3.5-4.5 inches is a good mowing height for today's modern grasses. Some older grasses won’t stand up straight enough to grow that high, so use your best judgment. Just remember to mow as high as you can handle and follow the 1/3 rule.

Note: In the Fall and late Fall, it is a good idea to gradually lower yourmowing height down to 2 inches so the grass doesn’t fold over under the snow.

HOW DO YOU MEASURE MOWING HEIGHT?
Take a ruler and measure from the top of the soil to the tips of the grass blade. Mowing height is not how long the blade is, it’s how far the tip is from the soil to the surface.

Mowing Tip 4:Mulch Your Clippings

Most of the time we recommend that you leave the clippings on the lawn, as long as they don’t clump and smother the grass. The clippings will not contribute much to Thatch and can return nutrients to the soil. If weeds are an issue, you might consider bagging and composting the clippings whenever weed seed heads are visible, such as white Dandelion puff balls, and others.

Mowing Tips For Organic Lawn Care (2024)

FAQs

Mowing Tips For Organic Lawn Care? ›

Maintaining a Natural Lawn Year-Round

How do you take care of your lawn organically? ›

Your grass will thrive, plus you'll help the environment, too.
  1. Nourish Your Soil. ...
  2. Choose the Right Grass. ...
  3. Use Organic Fertilizer. ...
  4. Read Product Labels. ...
  5. Take Care of Weeds. ...
  6. Control Bugs and Pests. ...
  7. Mow to the Proper Length. ...
  8. Water Less.
Nov 9, 2023

What is the most efficient way to mow a lawn? ›

Cutting in concentric circles is an efficient pattern because all the turns you make are in the same direction. Since turns are more gradual, it's also easier to maneuver your mower. A circular pattern will match the cuts you make around trees and flower beds as well.

What is the correct pattern for mowing? ›

Rotate mowing patterns every time you mow.

Keep the lawn as healthy as possible by switching up the patterns. Mow horizontally, then next time vertically, and diagonally after that.

How often should a healthy lawn be mowed? ›

Frequency of Mowing

The rate of grass growth and desired height of your lawn determine how often you need to mow. Typically, mowing once a week during the growing season should suffice to keep your lawn healthy. The rest of the time, you can reduce the frequency of cutting to every other week, as necessary.

Does organic lawn care really work? ›

Organic fertilizer can improve your soil and help it to retain its natural byproducts. With organic fertilizer, the functions of your soil actually improve. Organic lawn treatment can help the soil hold water and other vital nutrients. As a result, the soil's ecosystem will flourish due to the benefit of microbes.

How do I increase organic matter in my lawn? ›

Inexpensive Ways to Add Organic Matter to Lawn
  1. Composting is your chance to play Alchemist in your backyard. ...
  2. Mulching is your lawn's stylish, protective jacket. ...
  3. Grasscycling is like the self-help book of lawn care.
Jun 12, 2023

Is it better to mow in circles or straight lines? ›

Mowing in concentric circles reduces turns, making maneuvering more efficient. This pattern is particularly useful for lawns with irregular shapes and obstacles.

Is it better to mow fast or slow? ›

It's generally accepted that the best speed for effective mowing is in the 3-6 mph range. Going too fast can actually result in an uneven cut.

Should you mow fast or slow? ›

But the mowing testers at Consumer Reports say, not so fast. Mowing at a slower speed typically gets better results.

How to mow a lawn like a pro? ›

Learn how to properly mow your lawn for great results.
  1. Step 1 - Set Your Mower High.
  2. Step 2 - Mow a Dry Lawn.
  3. Step 3 - Vary Your Mowing Pattern.
  4. Step 4 - Don't Mow on a Schedule.
  5. Step 5 - Wait Before Mowing a New Lawn.
  6. Step 6 - Leave Grass Clippings on Your Lawn.
  7. Step 7 - Keep Your Mower Blade Sharp.

What time should you not mow the lawn? ›

However, be mindful that mowing too close to nightfall (between 6 and 8 p.m.) will not give your grass enough time to recover, making your lawn more susceptible to fungus and turf disease. It's recommended to avoid cutting your grass in the early morning and midday.

What is the best time to mow your lawn? ›

However, most professional gardeners would agree that between 8 AM and 10 AM is the best time of day to cut your grass. The reason for that is that lawns need time to heal before evening. Grass needs the benefit of the day to dry and heal before dusk settles.

Why only cut 1/3 of grass? ›

By removing only one-third of the leaf during a mowing event, you will limit the amount of photosynthesizing material removed and allow the plant to maintain reasonable growth by minimising this stress among others.

Does frequent mowing thicken grass? ›

Generally, yes. Mowing frequently is the key to a healthy lawn because each cut encourages the grass to grow thicker, creating a luscious, dense lawn. You can also block out weeds and make your turf more resilient, which is essential for a long-term, strong lawn.

Why is it better to mow your lawn at night? ›

Mow in the Evening

Because it tends to be cooler at this time, the roots retain their moisture. The blades of grass also have an entire night to recover before being sapped by the sun again in the morning. Conversely, wet, dewy grass can clog your mower deck.

What is the best organic way to fertilize your lawn? ›

You can make compost or compost tea at home, or purchase it ready to use. Options include Liquid Compost and Worm Tea or All-Natural Root Ruckus Liquid Compost. Another way to promote microbial growth? Choosing humic acid or biochar products, naturally derived soil amendments with great benefits to your lawn.

How do you fix a weedy lawn without chemicals? ›

How to Kill Weeds Naturally
  1. Make a Vinegar Weed Killer.
  2. Use Boiling Water.
  3. Use a Weed Torch.
  4. Buy an Organic Solution.
  5. Prioritize Soil and Grass Health.
  6. Adjust Your Mowing Routine.
  7. Pull Unestablished Weeds.
  8. Adjust Your Watering Schedule.
6 days ago

Is organic fertilizer better for your lawn? ›

Fertilizer Derived From Organic Sources Won't Burn Your Lawn

You've seen lawns striped with brown, dead grass. That's chemical burn resulting from synthetic fertilizers. Fertilizers from organic sources generally won't burn plants when used properly and don't need to be watered-in, which can help conserve water.

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