What’s better than the scent and beauty of a freshly mown lawn? Landscaping might be a standard part of lawn maintenance, but it actually has several major benefits for your yard. When it’s time to cut your grass, there are several ways you can improve your yard’s health. The right maintenance can help your grass withstand heat, drought, and harmful weeds while promoting healthier growth in the future.

Ready to get gorgeous grass? Read on for three tips that will help you mow your lawn like a professional.

Check Your Soil Moisture Level

Soil moisture plays a huge role in the health of your grass. While many people think they need to “water the lawn,” they really need to focus on the soil beneath their turf. Before taking out your lawn mower, make sure you’ve taken care of your soil first.

Depending on where you live and the type of soil in your lawn, a good moisture level is between 15% and 25%. Once wetness goes below 15%, you’re likely to run into trouble such as grass stress and damage. In some cases, lack of moisture can even cause grass to go dormant.

The good news is that most grasses can be dormant for up to a month without suffering permanent damage. So, get out there and test your soil moisture! You can do this with a simple moisture meter available online.

Bonus Tip: Don’t overwater your lawn! Many homeowners give their grass far too much hydration. Grass only needs between 1 and 1.5 inches of water each week to thrive.

Leave the Clippings

Grass clippings are rich in nutrients, like nitrogen and potassium, that nourish the soil and encourage healthy grass growth. Clippings are 80% water, so they break down quickly and become fertilizer for the soil.

Rather than having to go through the hassle of bagging and disposing of clippings, you can simply brush any from a sidewalk back into the yard. If your property is covered in clippings at the end of your mowing session, simply let them break down and nourish the ground beneath them!

Mow According to Your Grass’s Recommended Height

Different grass has its own ideal height for maximum health. Cut cool-season grasses slightly taller to about 3 or 3 1/2 inches. Warm-season grasses should be cut 2 to 2 1/2 inches.

During the summer, you can leave grass slightly higher to offer additional protection from the sun. This can improve soil moisture and water retention while offering much-needed shade.

Finally, when mowing your lawn, never remove more than one-third of the grass at a time. Cutting grass too short can weaken it, leading to a higher risk of turf problems. When in doubt, leave the grass a little higher to keep it healthy.

Regular mowing is vital to keeping your yard healthy. With the right mower and these tips, you can mow your lawn like an expert. Remember to continue to care for your lawn outside of mowing, too, with a proper watering schedule, fertilizer, and weed removal.

Published by: Nelly Chavez