Yard and Garden: Lawn Mowing Tips

AMES, Iowa — Proper mowing practices play a vital role in helping to maintain a healthy, sustainable home lawn. Horticulturists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach answer questions about lawns and lawn mowing. Homeowners and gardeners with lawn questions should contact horticulturists at Hortline by emailing hortline@iastate.edu or calling 515-294-3108.

What is the proper mowing height for a lawn? 


Mowing below the recommended range may scalp the turf and cause the turfgrass to deteriorate. Low mowing heights make the turfgrass more susceptible to drought, high temperature and wear injury. In addition, low mowing heights increase the likelihood of weed problems.  

Mowing too high reduces tillering and causes matting of the grass. Reduced tillering results in fewer and coarser plants. Matted grass creates a micro-environment that encourages disease development.  

How often should I mow my lawn? 





Should I remove the grass clippings when mowing the lawn? 


Grass clippings may need to be bagged or raked and removed when mowing extremely tall grass. You also may want to bag the grass clippings and use them as a mulch in vegetable and flower gardens. 

What are some good mowing practices? 

Whenever possible, mow the lawn when the grass is dry.
Wet grass is more difficult to cut and occasionally clogs rotary mowers. Also, it’s safer to mow the lawn when the grass is dry, as there is less risk of slipping and being injured by the mower.  

Mow the lawn with a sharp blade.
Sharpen the mower blade each spring. Thereafter, periodically inspect the blade and sharpen as needed. A dull blade tears the ends of the grass blades. The damaged tissue dries out, giving the turf surface a whitish appearance. Also, the torn leaf tissue loses greater amounts of water and increases the possibility of disease problems.  

Repeatedly mowing the lawn in the same direction pushes the grass over rather than cutting it cleanly. Also, different mowing patterns reduce soil compaction and wear from the mower wheels. Establish several mowing patterns that result in as few turns as possible. Less turning reduces mowing time and damage to the turf from the turning mower wheels.


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