Maintaining a vibrant healthy lawn, one free of weeds and pests, is a big part of life in North Texas. On any given day you’ll see lawn care services trucks in neighborhoods throughout Tarrant County. But even with specialists providing their knowledge and services for other parts of the yard, some individuals and families still prefer to cut the grass themselves. Below, we share some tips to guide your lawn mowing maintenance.
Before Mowing, Identify Your North Texas Turf Type
When you ask someone about lawn mowing in North Texas, you’ll probably get quite a few different answers, simply because various lawns will feature a different type of turfgrass. People in North Texas may have common Bermuda, hybrid Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, and even tall fescue. And within these types of grasses, there are varieties that can require different treatment. North Texas turfgrass is generally well-adapted to frequent mowing, and mowing weekly is usually required during the summer months.
The Proper Grass Height Is Key to a Healthy Lawn
Lawn maintenance requires knowledge of more than good mowing and irrigation schedules, though those are important. For example, the trim height of your grass affects the turf’s overall health. There is a direct correlation between cutting height and the number of roots a grass plant can maintain. Mowing too short will reduce grass vigor by reducing the ability to manufacture food and energy. Lowering the mowing height reduces the root system, which restricts the grass’s ability to absorb water and nutrients. Higher cut lawn grasses are more tolerant to heat and cold stress. Current standards suggest between 2 and 3.75 inches.
A general rule of thumb in horticulture is not to remove more than one-third of the total leaf surface of a plant, and this also applies when mowing your lawn. Depending on the weather, irrigation, and the type of grass, you may need to mow your lawn every 4–5 days, but it could be as long as 2 weeks. Here are some recommended mowing heights.
- Common Bermuda – 1.5″ to 2.5″
- Hybrid Bermuda – 0.5″ to 1.5″
- Augustine – 2.5″ to 4.0″
- Zoysia – 0.75″ to 2.5″
The key to a quality cut with any type of mower is to use a sharp, well-adjusted machine. Dull, poorly adjusted equipment tears the grass rather than cutting it, leaving a site ready for disease invasion, and giving the lawn a frayed, brownish appearance. Note that varying the mowing direction from time to time can reduce wear patterns.
What Should You Do With Grass Clippings After Lawn Mowing?
A common misconception is that clippings left on the lawn will promote thatch buildup. This is not true. Grass clippings do not make significant contributions to thatch and should be returned to the lawn whenever possible. These leaves contain mostly water and break down rapidly, releasing nutrients back into the system. These nutrients include phosphorus and nitrogen, which are key components of our lawn fertilization service. If you need a referral for mowing, give us a call. We work with proven professionals in the area and can recommend someone who will work with us to maintain your lawn as healthily as possible.
Call the Preferred Lawn Care Specialists in North Texas
Regular mowing is an important part of lawn care in keeping weeds at bay. Beyond mowing, the experts at Green Top Lawn Care provide homeowners with detailed, customized lawn care maintenance plans and services suitable for the grasses and plants common to Tarrant County homes. To put us to work for you, request a free quote or call us at (817) 684-4044.
