|
|
|
|
Local Photographer
Leaving grass clippings on the lawn not only reduces the problem of limited landfill space, it also provides many benefits for you and your lawn. Lawn Doctor recommends grasscycling for the following reasons:
• Improved lawn quality: Decaying grass clippings release valuable nutrients, which improve soil and feed grass plants. This helps you enjoy a greener, healthier lawn.
• Save time and money: A recent study found that homeowners who quit bagging grass saved an average of seven hours of yard work at the end of six months. These same homeowners saved money as a result of not having to purchase as many garbage bags.
• Clippings don’t cause thatch: Thatch is caused by the build up of roots, stolons and other plant material. It has been found that leaving clippings on the lawn contributes less than one sixteenth of an inch to the thatch layer each year.
• All mowers can grasscycle: No special equipment is needed. Check with your mower dealer for advice about attachments that improve your mower’s grasscycling performance.
• Grasscycling is an environmentally responsible practice: Landscape waste, including grass clippings, accounts for almost 20 percent of all curbside waste. Grasscycling provides an environmentally important opportunity for you to participate in reducing landfill volume.
Lawn Mowing – We take a lot of pride in the lawns we mow and always offer our best in quality and service. Every step is taken, from freshly sharpened blades daily, to changing our mowing pattern in the lawn weekly, to make your lawn look its best. After all, the appearance of your lawn is a reflection of us and our service.
Every lawn mowing includes the following: Complete mowing of the property, string trimming around all edging, trees, posts, etc., and removal of freshly cut grass from all paved and non-desirable areas with a power blower.
Mowing
Improper mowing causes more problems on lawns than any other maintenance practice. Most lawns are mowed too short, not often enough, and/or with a dull mower blade. Mowing height depends on the grass species. Mowing below the optimum height restricts root growth and increases susceptibility to damage from insects, disease, drought, and traffi c. Low mowing also favors weed infestations. Shaded areas should be mowed 0.5 to 1.0 inch higher than optimum. Do not vary the mowing height during the year Mowing frequency depends on how fast the grass is growing. Some lawns may need mowing twice a week during spring and fall and only once every 2 weeks during summer. Mow frequently enough so as not to remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade a single mowing. For instance, if you are mowing at 3 inches, mow when the grass reaches 4 inches.
If the grass has grown too tall, raise the mowing height and gradually lower it back to the original height over a few mowings. Avoid mowing during midday when temperatures are above 90o and the soil is dry because you may damage the turf. If you must mow during a hot and dry period, wait until temperatures moderate in the early morning or late evening. The mower blades must be sharp and may need sharpening four to six times a year. A sharp blade results in a cleaner and healthier cut, leaving a more attractive lawn. Reel-type mowers often give a better cut, especially at lower heights, but they are more difficult to maintain.
Figure 1. Leaf blade A demonstrates what a leaf blade should look like after mowing. Leaf blade B demonstrates a leaf blade that was injured by a dull mower blade. Leaf blade C was cut by the mower but indicates that the mower blade is not sharp enough. The white tissue sticking out of the leaf blades (C and D) is the vascular tissue of the
plant. Leaf blade D has been mown for quite some time with a dull mower blade (A. Patton).
bravenet.com