How Often Should You Mow Your Lawn?

So, how often should you mow your lawn? The best answer is – it depends. Several factors such as the type of grass, the growth rate, weather conditions, and the season all affect lawn growth. Here are some general guidelines.

Grass Growth Rate

Typically, cool-season grasses (like Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, and ryegrass) grow faster in cooler temperatures of spring and fall and may require more frequent mowing during these times. Warm-season grasses (such as Bermuda grass, Zoysia grass, and St. Augustine grass) grow faster in warm temperatures of summer. During peak growth periods (spring and early summer for cool-season grasses and summer for warm-season grasses), you may need to mow every 1-2 weeks. In slower growth periods (late summer and early fall for cool-season grasses and winter for warm-season grasses), you may mow less frequently, perhaps every 2-4 weeks.

Ideal Height

Aim to keep your grass at an ideal height to promote healthy growth and discourage weeds. You should keep your lawn from 3.5 inches to 4 inches tall. However, the type of grass makes a difference. Warm-season grasses may be kept a little shorter than cool-season grasses. Regardless of the height of your lawn, avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass blade’s length at a time to prevent stress to the grass and promote root development.

Weather Conditions

Adjust your mowing schedule based on weather conditions such as rainfall and temperature, as these can affect grass growth rates.

Personal Preference

Ultimately, the mowing frequency also depends on your preference for lawn appearance and how quickly you want your lawn to look well-manicured. And, let’s face it: if you feel like mowing,  

When Not to Mow

• Don’t mow in the dark. It’s essential to see what you’re doing when mowing, so don’t mow in the dark. I’m going to tell on myself.  Twenty-five years ago, I was working late every night. I duct-taped two flashlights to my push mower to mow in the dark. It almost worked. I mowed over a garden tool, damaged the mower, and didn’t finish mowing. My wife was not happy. All she said was, “I told you so.” Take it from me: don’t mow in the dark  
• Don’t mow when the grass is too short. Mowing grass too short can damage it and make it more susceptible to weeds. Leave the grass at least 3 inches tall. Besides, you don’t need to mow if it’s already 3 inches or below.
• Don’t mow if your blades are worn and dull. “Homeowners should sharpen mower blades at least twice a year. To make this easy, buy two sets of mower blades and sharpen both sets each winter. Put a sharpened blade on before the first mowing and then switch when you notice that the leaf blades are becoming ragged in appearance as this is an indicator of a dull mower blade.” — Purdue.edu — Don’t Forget to Sharpen Those Mower Blades
• Don’t mow in a drought. If your grass is brown, short, and thin, let it grow before you mow. There might be some spots with longer grass, but if the lawn overall is being affected by drought, wait for the rain and then let it dry before you mow. Another obvious option is to water the lawn, but if there’s a drought, be sure to follow local guidelines  

By following these guidelines and observing how quickly your grass grows in different seasons, you can determine the best mowing schedule for your lawn to keep it healthy and looking its best. However, there is another option. If you want to be sure your grass is mowed at the correct height with sharp mulching blades on a regular schedule, even if you work nights, hire Berger Hargis to mow your lawn, commercial or residential.

How Can We Help You?

Berger Hargis has a company philosophy of providing personal excellence for all our services. Our growth and success have been due entirely to our commitment to honest, excellent customer service. The company is built on the referral business we have received due to this philosophy.

If we can answer any questions about mowing your lawn, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us. 

So, if you’re looking for a career where you can have fun at work, call (317) 243-0100.  

About the Author

Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at Randy Clark Leadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He’s a beer geek, and on weekends he can be found fronting the Rock & Roll band Under the Radar. He’s the proud father of two educators; he has four amazing grandchildren and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager’s Workbook, a crash course in effective management.

Photo by Carl Tronders on Unsplash

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