FAQs
- 1. Should grass clippings be removed?
- 2. How much water does my lawn need?
- 3. How often should my grass be cut?
1. Should grass clippings be removed?
Grass clippings should be left on the lawn when mowing. "Grass-cycling" is natural and an environmentally beneficial practice. Grass clippings are about 90 percent water by weight. Because they are high in protein they should be left on the lawn to decompose and add nutrients to the soil. Grass-cycling also reduces waste and conserves landfill space. It is only necessary to remove lawn clippings if they are long and will smother the lawn.
2. How much water does my lawn need?
Water Early! Watering early in the morning means less water is lost to evaporation. Avoid watering at night as the lawn remains wet for a long period of time which can increase the incidence of fungal disease.
Water 2.5 cm (1 inch) per week including rainfall. A lot of people overwater, experts agree that you only need 2.5 cm of water including rainfall to maintain a healthy vibrant lawn. Watch the weather and use a rain gauge or cup to measure how much water your lawn has received. Free rain gauges are available from most municipalities.
Water less frequently and for longer periods of time. This will reduce the risk of lawn disease, encourage deeper lawn roots and reduce the ideal growing conditions for most weeds. Try to water twice a week using a sprinkler that allows the lawn to slowly soak up the water.
Don't forget to water garden plants and new trees as well. Hand watering works best for gardens and planters while new trees need the equivalent of two buckets of water each week. Applying mulch to gardens is an excellent way to stop the soil from drying out between waterings as it helps avoid evaporation.
If you have an inground sprinkler road. make sure it is set to water just before dawn and don't have it come on every day, only once or twice a week. Also make sure the heads are aimed correctly to avoid wasting water on driveways or the road.
3. How often should my grass be cut?
Weekly mowing is essential as by mowing regularly less of the grass blades are removed each cut so as not to shock the lawn. One of the things that cause the most stress on a lawn is cutting it. The accepted rule of thumb is that no more than one third of the blade length should be removed with each mowing to avoid shock and thatch buildup. By doing this the lawn will be thick and healthy.