Mowing Best Practices for Spring & Beyond

Mowing might seem like a simple task, but it plays a critical role in the overall health and appearance of your lawn. How often you mow, how much you cut, and even the direction you mow can all impact how thick, green, and resilient your grass becomes. Whether you're caring for a newly seeded yard or a well-established lawn, following these best practices will help you achieve long-term results.

1. Keep Mower Blades Sharp

One of the most overlooked aspects of mowing is the condition of your mower blades. Dull blades don’t cut cleanly—instead, they tear the grass, leaving frayed tips that turn brown and make your lawn look patchy and stressed. Worse, torn grass is more vulnerable to pests and diseases.

Tip: Aim to sharpen your mower blades at least once per season, or more often if you mow frequently or notice ragged cuts. Sharp blades ensure a clean cut and promote faster healing for healthier grass.

2. Follow the One-Third Rule

A good rule of thumb is to never remove more than one-third of the grass blade’s height in a single mow. Cutting too much at once can shock the grass, deplete its energy reserves, and leave it vulnerable to weeds and drought stress.

Recommended mowing heights:

• Cool-season grasses (like fescue or ryegrass): Keep at 3 to 4 inches tall.

• Warm-season grasses (like Bermuda or zoysia): Maintain at 1.5 to 2 inches.

Cutting at the proper height helps shade the soil, retain moisture, and encourages deeper root growth—all essential for a healthy, green lawn.

3. Vary Your Mowing Pattern

Many homeowners mow in the same direction every time out of habit—but doing so can lead to soil compaction and visible ruts in your lawn. Repeatedly pushing a mower in the same lines can also cause the grass to lean in one direction over time.

To avoid this, alternate your mowing pattern with each mow—go north to south one week, then east to west the next. Changing up your pattern helps grass blades stand tall, improves air circulation, and reduces wear on the turf.

4. Leave Grass Clippings on the Lawn

It might be tempting to bag your clippings, especially when the lawn is thick, but leaving grass clippings on the lawn (a practice known as “grasscycling”) can benefit your yard in big ways. Clippings break down quickly and return valuable nutrients—especially nitrogen—back into the soil.

As long as you're mowing regularly and not cutting too much at once, clippings won’t cause thatch or smother the lawn. In fact, they act as a natural fertilizer and help reduce your need for additional lawn treatments.

Consistent Mowing = Consistent Results

Mowing isn’t just about keeping your yard looking tidy—it’s about nurturing strong, healthy turf. By sharpening your blades, mowing at the correct height, changing your pattern, and leaving the clippings, you’ll give your lawn the best chance to thrive through the spring and into the heat of summer.

A well-mowed lawn isn’t just nice to look at—it’s a sign of a yard that’s being cared for the right way.