05/27/2024
Here are some lawn mowing tips:
BEST PRACTICES FOR MOWING:
Mowing is the most basic and the most frequent cultural practice that turf grass managers perform. The ability to withstand mowing is what makes turf grasses different from other plants, which is why mowing is an essential part of maintaining high quality turf grass stands. Besides eliminating non turf-forming plants from the stand, mowing is also important for maintaining the playability of the field.
Mowing Height:
Different turf grass species have different recommended mowing heights:
Tall Fescue: 5 - 7.5 cm (2 – 3 inches)
Perennial Ryegrass: 1.25 – 7.5 cm (½ - 3 inches)
Kentucky Bluegrass: 2 – 7.5 cm (¾ to 3 inches)
Chewings Fescue: .5 – 7.5 cm (¼ to 3 inches)
Creeping Red, Blue or Sheep Fescue: 5 - 7.5 cm (2-3 inches)
Creeping Bentgrass: 0.3 – 2 cm (1/8 - ¾ inch)
Colonial or Dryland Bentgrass: 1.25 – 2 cm (½ - ¾ inch)
Velvet Bentgrass: 0.3 – 0.5 cm (1/8 - 1/4 inch)
These mowing heights are dependent on the use of the grass and the individual cultivars or varieties being used. New dwarf Kentucky bluegrass cultivars may be able to withstand lower mowing heights but they may become over-run with w**ds or undesirable turf grasses like annual bluegrass. Many turf grass managers are also mowing the new creeping bentgrass cultivars below 1/8 of an inch but this often results in weaker turf that is more susceptible to disease and annual bluegrass infestation, and is not recommended. Although the mowing height differences are often small ( 1cm or ½ "), do not underestimate their importance for maintaining healthy turf grass stands.
Mowing Too Low
When turf grasses are mowed below the recommended mowing heights the result is often a weakened turf grass stand. When turf grasses are mowed below their optimal range the result is a reduction in turf grass density, reduced vegetative reproduction and a corresponding reduction in uniformity due to w**d invasion, and turf grass death. While the height of the leaf sheath of turf grass plans is somewhat plastic (it changes with the management of the environment) there does exist a limit to this plasticity. Eventually you will mow below the collar of the plant and will be removing the entire leaf blade, drastically limiting the plants ability to photosynthesize and grow. Often this is referred to as scalping and this can occur when mowing too low for the turf grass cultivar but also occurs when not mowing frequently enough. Often when turf grass is scalped the individuals recover from the crowns. In some cases of severe scalping the crown itself can be damaged resulting in a loss of the turf grass plant and the need for re-establishment of the turf grass. In a nutshell mowing too low reduces carbohydrates, weakens turf and allows turf to be prone to w**ds, diseases, insects, and environmental stresses. Maintaining proper mowing frequency can minimize scalping.
Mowing Too High
When turf grass is maintained at a height above its optimal range there is a reduction in turf grass density and reduced vegetative reproduction. As the height of the turf grass increases the turf grass begins to experience shade and responds by increasing upward growth to attain more sunlight. This results in less tillering and a decrease in turf grass density. In addition mowing at too high of a height can result in poor mowing as the turf grass plants begin to lay down as opposed to standing upright. In the case of sports turf this often results in a lack of playability. Very often when turf grass is allowed to grow too tall it is then cut back to a height within the optimal range and scalping can occur. Due to the thinning of tillers in response to the self-shading this can result in increased w**d invasion and reduced wear tolerance. Many of these symptoms can also be seen in turf grass that is being grown in shaded areas.
How Often Should It Be Mowed?
Mowing must be performed at regular intervals to prevent stress. If a field is allowed to grow too tall between mowing events, the leaf sheath can elongate which increases the likelihood of scalping. Also, because of the nature of turf grass growth, with the youngest leaf emerging from the top of the leaf sheath allowing excessive growth between mowing events results the youngest fully expanded leaves to be completely removed leaving behind only older senescing leaves and immature leaves. The elimination of the youngest fully expanded leaves is detrimental to plant health because they are the leaves that perform photosynthesis at the highest rate and contribute most to the growth and recovery of the turf grass plants. The detrimental affect of mowing too infrequently has lead to the 1/3 rule.
The One-Third Rule
The one-third rule: never remove more than 1/3 the height of the plant during any mowing event.
What does this mean?
If your mowing height is 7.5 cm (3 ") then you should mow the field before the turf reaches 11 cm (4.5") tall. To mow at a height of 5 cm (2") the grass should be mowed before it reaches 7.5cm (3"). As the rate of leaf elongation is relatively constant for a particular cultivar this means that as you decrease mowing heights mowing frequency must increase. One result of decreasing the height of cut is that if the turf grass is going to be maintained with sufficient health then mowing frequency must increase.
Recovering grass that has been let to grow too tall is important. Often for some reason or another turf grass managers find themselves in a situation where they have the need to reduce the height of grass. This may be due to an unexpected flush of grow, or due to weather restrictions or to prepare for a major tournament. One of the most crucial times when mowing height is reduced is during establishment of a low cut turf grass area. Initially mowing is not possible due to the lack of seedling vigor in response to traffic and the fact that seedlings are not rooted well enough to withstand the mowing process. In order for the seedlings to establish they cannot be mowed immediately. In the case of low height of cut turf grass areas typically the first mowing occurs at a height well above the desired height.
The one-third rule should be followed when mowing but the question remains how long should the turf be mowed at each height as the height of cut is reduced. It is NOT advisable to mow one third of the plant height off every 2 days until the desired height is reached, this would be the same as just scalping it down to the desired height. The turf grass may survive but it will be severely weakened and will very likely be subject to invasion by annual bluegrass or other w**ds. Contrarily it is advised that each mowing height is maintained for a time until the grass is fully recovered from the reduction in height and is growing vigorously. In some cases this may be one to two mowing events at a particular height in other cases it may be many mowing events at a particular height. Each time you lower the height of cut you are potentially removing more leaf area. The reductions of leaf area results in less photosynthesis and a resulting decrease in turfgrass growth and recovery. Reducing the height of cut will correspond to an increase in mowing frequency. Experience is one of the best teachers when learning about reducing mowing heights. Often times inexperienced turfgrass managers will reduce the height very cautiously increasing the amount of time to get to the desired playability. In other cases inexperienced turfgrass managers will reduce the height of cut much too rapidly reducing the vigor of the stand and also leading to a longer time to acceptable playability and increased w**d infestation. In some cases depending on the use level and the acceptability and the ability of the grass to recover and the availability of herbicides a turfgrass manager will reduce the height of cut rapidly to the desired height with the idea that the reduction in turfgrass quality will be acceptable for the period of time in question and the need to reduce the height of cut is more important.
Besides knowing how often to mow, it is also important to be sure to mow in multiple directions. Besides creating attractive line patterns, it makes for a smoother playing surface, and reduces wear and compaction of the field.
Mowing Maintenance
Maintenance to the mowers is an essential part of the mowing process. Dull mower blades lead to a reduction in the quality of cut, or smoothness. While this negatively impacts the aesthetics of the turf is also reduces turf grass growth and recovery from mowing. Turf grass cut with dull blades ends up frayed and leaf elongation is reduced as resources (photosynthates) allocated to defense as opposed to new growth. The rayed ends repair slower and become an ideal site for pathogens to enter the plant. Clean cutting machinery is essential for proper mowing. During times of flower production the increase in steminess leads to a lack of smoothness of cut even if the blades are kept sharp. During this time it may be necessary to sharpen the blades more often due to the increased wear on the blades. It is also important to remember that other management factors can affect blade sharpness, such as topdressing greens. Implementing light frequent topdressing programs often requires an increase in mower maintenance.
Mowing with a Dull Mower
One of the most important aspects of mowing is consistency of height. If multiple mowers are mowing one area then they must all be set to cut at the same effective height of cut. Mowers, depending on make and model and even year produced, can cut at different heights while all being set to the same height. Setting the mowers to the same effective height of cut is making sure that regardless of the setting on the mower all the mowers are cutting at the same height.
Mowing height: The distance above the ground surface at which the turf grass is cut during mowing.
Bench setting: The height at which the bed knife of a mower is set above a firm, level surface.
Reel mowers: are mowers that are set up so the blades spin vertically and use a scissor action to cut the blades of the turf grass. The number of blades on a barrel varies, but typically there are between three and seven blades on a reel mower. Reel mowers are used for low cut turf and are limited to mowing turf that is lower than the diameter of the reel barrel.
Rotary mowers: are mowers that are set up so the blade spins horizontally and uses a sucking and tearing action to cut the turf grass blades. These are all purpose mowers, and when properly set will provide uniform playing surfaces. However, when mowing turf that is above 12 cm (~ 5") the sucking action may not be sufficient to lift up the grass blades to create a uniform playing surface.
Wavy turf appearance = Marcelling: Marcelling occurs when reel mowers are either maladjusted or the operator is traveling at an improper speed. It occurs when clipping rate (CR) is significantly greater than mowing height (MH). Cr is determined by the number of blades on the reel, rotational velocity of blade, and the forward speed of the mower. To decrease the effects of marcelling the speed of the reel should be checked, the operator should be instructed to operate the mower at the proper operational speed, and employ a cross-cut mowing pattern.
Clipping Removal?
A common question is should clippings be removed? Ideally clippings should be left on the ground, however it depends on clipping height. Short clippings add organic matter and recycle nutrients, also water retention and movement. Long clippings can cause thatch build-up, enhance disease development are unsightly and interfere with playability.
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