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To keep your grass healthy and beautiful all year long, it’s important to mow correctly and regularly. Different types of vegetation have different needs, so you must also have an understanding of your turf to provide it with the best care. Below are several tips to help you keep your lawn in great shape.

How to Mow More Effectively

1. Mow Regularly & Vary the Pattern

In most cases, mowing just once per week is enough. During times of rapid growth, however, you may need to cut the grass every five days. Each time you do, vary the pattern. If you always mow in the same direction, your turf will look flat. Instead, alternate between horizontal and vertical paths.

2. Cut at the Correct Height

Different grasses thrive at different heights. Mowing too short or high could result in your turf being deprived of essential nutrients, or leave it with weak roots and lackluster color. Emerald Zoysia, for example, should be between ½ an inch to 2 inches in height. Bermuda grass, however, should range 1 to 2 ½ inches, and it should end the season taller than it was at the beginning.

3. Always Use a Sharp Blade

Using a sharp edge is crucial to maintaining your grass’s coloring and preventing diseases. For Bermuda grass, sharpen the blade twice per year. Emerald Zoysia and St. Augustine have stiffer textures, so sharpen your blades every few months.

4. Let the Clippings Fall Where They May

grassThe only time you should bag grass clippings is if the turf is severely overgrown or you are purposely scalping. Contrary to popular belief, grass clippings don’t contribute to thatch. In fact, they provide additional nutrients and moisture to your turf, keeping it healthy.

5. Don’t Remove More Than 1/3 of the Blade

While certain grasses must be cut to a certain height, you should never cut more than 1/3 of the blades at a time. Removing more than that is called “scalping,” and it weakens the root system and contributes to discoloration. Bermuda grass, however, should be scalped at the beginning of spring to promote healthy growth throughout the rest of the year.

 

Lawn maintenance isn’t as simple as cutting your grass once per week. If you’d like help from turf and sod experts, Alii Turf will ensure you have one of the healthiest, most beautiful lawns on Oahu. They offer a variety of turf options, including Emerald Zoysia, St. Augustine, and Bermuda grasses. Visit their website for more information, or call (808) 293-8873 to get a quote.

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