Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Healthy and Greener grass

The key to a healthier and greener grass, is how short you cut it (or how long you leave it).
The shorter the grass is cut, the more it needs fertilizer (nutrients). 
The more fertilizer is used, the more water is required. 
source

Make sense to me.

 This is how it works.
Longer grass traps more moisture and
reduces the sunlight that gets to the roots, which can burn the grass and dry it out.
Grass reacts to the sun the same way our skin does. Too much sun without protection will burn it. 
You don’t put sunscreen on top of your head because your hair protects your skin. 
Not so for a bald head.
The same goes for long grass, it provides shade for the roots and soil.
Long grass also develops a deeper root system which makes the grass more fit for dry and less fertile soil.
The best tip I received is:
set your mower on its highest setting and your grass will still look nice, trimmed, and greener than ever.

So how long should you wait before cutting the lawn? 
And how short should you cut the lawn? 
According to the Cornell University Cooperative Extension, cutting the lawn with a lawnmower set at a proper mowing height can save you from having to bag your grass clippings, even if you don't own a mulching mower. 
The rule of thumb suggested by the Cornell Extension is, 
"Mow when your grass is dry and 3 to 3-1/2 inches tall. Never cut it shorter then 2 to 2-1/2 inches or remove more than one third of the leaf surface at any one mowing."

Finally, keep in mind this tips
- keep lawnmower blades sharp. 
That will make clean cuts, and clean cuts promote better grass health. Dull blades, by produce rougher cuts that make the grass more susceptible to disease.
- mow early morning or in the evening. 
Avoid the hottest part of the day.
- alternate the direction in which you mow each time. 

Stay Frugal,
Daniela






10 comments:

Unknown said...

Where do you store all this information on absolutely everything there is to know Dani!!!
Very good advice - and one I've never taken ( used to cut way too low ) sadly we don't have grass to cut anymore but I'll keep this in mind for the country house ( whenever that happens lol )
XOX

Burlap Luxe said...

I Now won't feel so guilty leaving my grasses longer and letting my neighbors know why.
I love those green bushy fields that grow wild with grasses of all lengths and how un-kept they are of beauty. You brought attention to more then what grass is.

A perfect end of summer post.
Thank you sweet friend for gracing your beauty over at my place and leaving a comment that joie my heart.

Keep inspiring your wealth of beauty.

Bisous
Xx

Doré

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Daniela,
Mowing early in the morning will be hard since the grass is too wet for cutting it well... Feels best, temperature wise though!
Blades are core to cutting the grass well and you best do preventive maintenance like that in the winter to the blades are sharp and things run smooth ones the season starts.
Wish we could cut ours but it is way too soggy with our Flash Floor Watch still in place... We HOPE that soon things can finally dry out and let us have a little bit of summer to enjoy. This is bad and we're working around the clock now for mopping up with cloth (Dutch) the water that leaks into our basement. Two wet vacs on duty... Longing to a normal night sleep and some relaxing time in the sun shine!
Hugs to you,
Mariette

NanaDiana said...

I mow our grass and I always cut it high. I discovered early on that shorter grass means more watering and more work. Great post, Dani- xo Diana

Our Hopeful Home said...

So much to know about cutting grass properly! Our oldest is finally old enough to cut our one acre with a riding mower. Hallelujah! You really do want to time it right because nobody wants to be raking an acre!

Amy of While Wearing Heels said...

I'll be forwarding this to my husband. He is obsessed with the grass.

Laurie @ Laurie's Little Bits of Creativity, etc. said...

My husband always cuts ours really really short because I think he secretly wishes we didn't have any lawn to mow. Our grass never seems to die from it. We are country dwellers and have been blessed or in my husband's opinion "cursed" with an ever growing lush lawn. We mow close to 3 acres to keep the mosquitoes away from the house. I love our yard and even enjoy mowing it. Thanks for the great info.

Libby said...

Great tips! I kept saying I wanted to try using Epsom Salt on my grass to see if it would be greener, but now the grass season is ending for me. Maybe I'll try later. :-)

Cristina Garay said...

Ha that's one of the few jobs my husbands take care of around the house. He's a smart guy ;) he follows all your great tips!

Babs said...

Great tips! Years ago, my husband used to cut the Bermuda grass really short, and the grass struggled during the summer.That was the suggested thing to do years ago. Now, we've learned to do as you mentioned, and we have a much healthier, greener lawn. Thanks again for the tips.