When it comes to lawn care in Woodstock, Ga you should keep in mind that proper cultural practices such as mowing and watering can play an important role that can affect the results you will get from a Weed Control and Fertilization program. We service alot of lawn care clients in Woodstock, Ga and many have Bermuda Lawns. I just wanted to touch on a few key points here about proper mowing to get the most out of your lawn care fertilization and weed program.
Left – Good Mowing / Right – Bad Mowing
Mowing Height
It is said bermuda should be mowed at 1/2″ to 1.5″. We find this is not always a realistic cutting height for everyone. Results from mowing with a Reel Mower will yield better results at a lower height, but you have to mow much more frequently and your lawn should be fairly level. For the rest of the the world… Mowing below 1.5″ with your standard rotary mower (as what your typical homeowner will use these days) can yield some horrible results if your lawn is bumpy and uneven, which we find is usually common. If you are mowing this low (1.5″ and under) with your standard rotary mower on a bumpy lawn there is a chance that you will end up with scalped areas which is not good for the appearance and health of your lawn. We recommend starting at 1.5 to 2 inches and raising up slightly if you end up with to many scalped areas, then keep the lawn mowed at that height at least every 3 to 5 days so your not removing to much off at one time…
Mowing Frequency
How often you mow will play a big part in the appearance of the lawn and the results you get from our lawn care program in Woodstock Ga. Your lawn should be mowed every 3 to 5 days during the time that Bermuda is actively growing. You want to be sure your not removing any more than 1/3 of the grass blade at one time. Removing to much off at one time can result in a brown appearance of the lawn and can be bad for not only the appearance but the overall health of the lawn. Frequently mowed Bermuda lawns mowed at the proper height will usually be more thicker and weed resistant than lawns that are mowed every 10 to 14 days.
Lawn Mower Maintenance
Another often overlooked aspect of proper mowing (believe it or not) is the mower blade! Mowing with an old dull blade can be as bad for the lawn as anything.. So, you want to be in a habit of checking that blade each time before you mow. Not only for the sake of your lawn, but for the sake of safety. You want to sharpen up the mower blade at the start of each season, and keep a watch on it throughout the season. If you don’t feel comfortable sharpening your blade yourself you can remove the blade and take it to your local hardware store or mower shop and they should be able to get your blade sharpened. Mowing with a good sharp blade will cut the grass blades cleanly while mowing with a dull blade will “shred” the grass blades, which will cause an unhealthy appearance and make the lawn more susceptible to disease as well. Mowing with a dull mower blade will also make the mower “work harder” which can sometimes affect the lifespan of your lawn mower.
Well, there you have it.. my take on mowing Bermuda grass in Woodstock, Ga. If you have any questions feel free to get in touch!