How Often Should You Mow Your Lawn?

Mowing the lawn is something some homeowners see as a chore, while others see it as a labor of love.

I personally don't mind mowing my lawn. (And yes, I have a walk behind mower.) It's a mindless job that takes me about 50 minutes. But it gives me time to think about the novel I'm writing, things going on in my life, or just about nothing at all.

I love the sweet smell of freshly mowed grass and how nice the lawn looks when I'm done.

So whether you see it as a chore or labor of love, there are certain things you should know about mowing your lawn to keep your lawn looking lush and green.

Mowing your lawn at the correct time and cutting it to the correct height will help keep your lawn healthy and able to resist weeds, insects, and disease.

If you let your lawn get too long then cut it real short will stress your lawn and after time it will be become thin, spotty, and burn.

On the other hand, mowing too often will weaken the grass also, especially if it's cut too short.

Some people get into a routine of mowing once a week whenever it fits their schedule, say on a Saturday morning, instead of mowing when the lawn when the lawn needs to be cut.

It is important to cut your lawn to its proper height. The height it needs to be depends on the kind of grass your have, what season it is, and where you live. If you cut it too short, stems that were shaded are now exposed and may burn. It is also a shock to the root system of your lawn.

A lawn that is cut to the proper height will develop a strong root system and will be a lot healthier. It will also be more drought resistant.

With new lawns the soil is usually soft and the grass roots are not deep. Use a light weight mower on new lawns with sharp blades. A dull blade can easily pull up grass that is young and not deeply rooted.

Don't mow your lawn when it's wet, as this will cause uneven mowing and make your lawn look ragged.

Don't forget to pick up sticks on your lawn before mowing. Hitting sticks with your mower is a good way to dull the blade.

Change the direction you mow. Mowing in the same direction all the time will compact the lawn and soil underneath it.

The more fertilizer you put on your lawn, the faster it will grow. So, if you are one of those people who see mowing as a chore, go easy on the fertilizer.