Should you mow today or wait another day? While there isn’t a formula to calculate a mowing calendar, grass provides plenty of cues that help you know when to mow. Whether you use a push mower, rider, or robotic model, timing your mowing right begins with understanding how your grass grows. These tips will help you decide how often you should mow your lawn to result in healthy, lush grass.
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1. Know your grass.
Depending on where you live, your lawn consists of cool-season or warm-season grasses. These grasses have different growth patterns and optimal mowing heights that affect when to mow.
Cool-Season Grass
Homeowners in areas with cold winters usually grow cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue. Cool-season grasses grow rapidly when temperatures are moderate in spring and fall; they grow slowly in summer and usually go dormant in winter. Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue are best maintained at about 3 to 3 1/2 inches tall during spring and fall. When they are growing slowly in summer and winter, set the mower height to 4 to 4 ½ inches.
Warm-Season Grass
Areas with moderate winter temperatures usually support warm-season grasses such as Bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, and zoysiagrass. Warm-season grasses grow vigorously during the heat of summer. Growth slows, and grasses occasionally go dormant in fall and winter. Bermudagrass and St. Augustinegrass are best maintained at about 1 ½ to 2 inches tall; zoysiagrass grows best when maintained at 1 inch tall.
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2. Follow the one-third rule.
Aim to remove no more than one-third of the height of a stand of turf at a time. For example, if your lawn mower is set to cut grass to 3 ½ inches tall, mow when the grass is about 5 inches tall. Reducing the turf’s height by only one-third moderates the stress on the plants, leaving behind plenty of living leaf tissue to support healthy stem and root growth. Following the one-third rule also creates small clippings that quickly decompose, adding nutrients to the soil.
When lawn grass is actively growing, you’ll likely mow every five to seven days to remove one-third of the grass’s height. During periods of slow growth, it is common to mow just once every 10 to 14 days, and many grasses go dormant for weeks at a time. Dormant grasses are not actively growing and don’t need to be mowed.
3. Take advantage of tall mowing heights.
Set your mower deck at the upper end of the recommended maintenance height for the turf grass in your yard. Taller turf requires less frequent mowing. It also has a deeper root system, making it better able to weather adversity than grass that is routinely cut excessively short. Tall turf is more tolerant of drought, heat, traffic, shade, and pests.
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4. Beware of cutting grass too short.
It is tempting to lower the mowing height to postpone a future cutting, but don’t take a shortcut. An excessively short cutting height for any lawn grass is a stressor that makes the turf more susceptible to pests, diseases, and drought.
5. Watch for dormancy.
There’s no need to mow dormant turf grass. Warm-season grasses typically go into dormancy in late fall through winter. Cool-season grasses have a main period of dormancy in winter and occasionally a short period of dormancy in summer when your lawn may turn brown.
6. Adjust mowing frequency and height during stressful times.
Periods of drought or temperature extremes can stress lawn grass, causing it to grow slowly. Care well for the turf by increasing the mowing height by ½ to 1 inch and mowing less frequently. Continue to follow the one-third rule.
7. Watch the forecast.
Sometimes, the forecast determines the timing of your next mowing. For example, if the grass is close to mowing height to follow the one-third rule, but rain is in the forecast for the next couple of days, it is best to mow right away rather than wait until after the rain period when the grass could be excessively long.
8. Don't overdo water and fertilizer.
Grass growth is fueled by available soil nutrients, sunlight, and water that can supercharge grass growth. Fast growth leads to frequent mowing.
Water and fertilize thoughtfully to slow your lawn’s growth while not compromising its health. Most turf species need no more than 1 inch of water a week to grow well. Adjust your irrigation system as needed. Fertilizing requirements are site-specific, but some sites require no fertilizer to produce a healthy lawn.
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FAQs
Follow the one-third rule.
How often should you mow your lawn to keep it healthy? ›
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.
How long to wait between mowing? ›
This may now mean mowing every 7 to 10 days depending on temperature and water availability. Regardless of the mowing height never leave your lawn more than 10 to 14 days between cuts.
Can I mow my lawn too much? ›
Mowing so that you only need to take off a third or less of the height of your grass is a good rule to follow, as it keeps your grass blades at a healthy height and makes mowing easier. Over mowing to compensate for a shaggy lawn means too-short grass and excessive clippings.
Should you mow the same way every time? ›
Don't Mow the Same Way Every Time – Alternate the Pattern
Grass blades tend to grow in the direction in which they are mowed. Alternating the pattern allows the blades to return to a more upright position. This will also ensure that you don't develop ruts in your lawn from the mower wheels.
Does frequent mowing thicken grass? ›
Mow Properly
Using best practices for mowing helps your grass grow thick and stay that way. Rather than mowing based on your weekly calendar, mow according to grass needs. Mow often enough to maintain your grass type at its recommended mowing height without removing more than one-third of the height in a single mowing.
Is it better to mow lawn in morning or evening? ›
Mid-morning mowing is the healthiest for your grass. It meets all the conditions we mentioned earlier: dry grass, cooler temperatures, and enough time to recover.
Is it better to keep a lawn short or long? ›
The taller your grass, the better and healthier they are with time. Therefore, they can withstand drought and other harsh weather conditions. Keeping your grass tall is the best decision if you intend to have a lawn that can withstand harsh conditions for longer.
What is the best length to cut your grass? ›
In the spring, cut cool-season grasses to 3 or 4 inches. Once your grass reaches a height of about 6 inches tall, it's time to mow. Warm-season grasses should be cut to 2 or 2 ½ inches, and you'll know it's time to mow once these grasses reach about 4 inches tall.
What is the 1 3 rule? ›
What Is The One-Third Rule? The grass-cutting one-third rule is to cut no more than the top one-third of the grass blades. So, for three-inch grass, you want to mow when it grows to approximately 4.5 inches tall (3/4.5 = 0.667). For most purposes, we recommend a three-inch grass lawn.
Trimming the number of times you run the mower around the yard, known as “low mow”, can help reduce carbon emissions, build soil organic matter and even enhance pollinating habitats for bees.
Is it good to let your grass grow long sometimes? ›
A longer grass blade will shade the ground underneath, keeping it cooler, meaning it won't dry our as quickly as when the lawn is mowed short. In other words, the lawn does not have to receive as much supplemental water. Reduces weed growth.
Is it OK to mow really long grass? ›
Cutting long grass during hot summer days can damage it beyond repair. If you have warm-season turf (like Buffalo grass), cut it to a height of no lower than 50mm. And for cool-season turf (like Perennial ryegrass), make sure the blade is no lower than 30mm.
What time should you not mow? ›
Don't mow just before the sunset
Your lawn needs time to recover and heal before the sun sets and dew develops. If it doesn't have time to heal, you risk exposing your freshly cut grass to disease. The optimal time to mow later in the day is between 4-6 p.m..
Why mow a lawn diagonally? ›
Ideally, grass stems should grow straight up and stand tall. Mowing in different directions helps make that happen.
Should you edge your lawn every time you mow? ›
In general, it's a good idea to edge your lawn at least once a month during the growing season. This will help keep your lawn looking neat and tidy and prevent grass from growing into other areas.
Why shouldn't you mow your lawn every week? ›
Mowing every two weeks — instead of weekly — and not dousing grass with chemical herbicides and fertilizers, helps the environment and supports the health of bees, which are among the world's most important pollinators.
How often should you do lawn maintenance? ›
At its core, "how often" is an interrogative phrase used to inquire about the frequency or regularity of an action or event. It allows speakers to specify a number of actions or events within a specific time frame, providing valuable insights into habits, routines, and patterns.
Is it better to mow twice a week? ›
When the grass is growing rapidly, you will need to mow more often. Mow less often when the grass is growing slow. Cool-season lawns, like Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass should be mowed about two times per week in the spring and fall, and about one time per week during the summer.
How long should you cut your grass in summer? ›
A mowing height between 2.5 to 3 inches is best for most of the season, except during summer stresses when the lawn mowing height should be raised one-half inch to mow at 3 to 3.5 inches. Raising the mowing height provides more insulation from summer heat and reduces water loss from your soil.
