Tip 3 on Greening Up Your Yard
Mow high
Mow your lawn to 6-8 cm (2 1/2-3 inches) to encourage better root growth and moisture retention. Keep your blade sharp! Your lawn will recover quicker if the grass is cleanly cut.
Make the cut
Proper mowing technique is probably the most important tip for keeping your lawn healthy and weed free.
- Grass cut to a height of 6-8 cm (2 1/2-3 inches) will develop a deep, extensive root system, grow thicker to shade out broad leaf weeds, and better retain soil moisture.
- Mow at least once a week to avoid "shocking" your grass. The rule of thumb is to not cut more than 1/3 of the leaf blade at any one time. The less grass blade cut, the less "shock" to the grass.
- Cut your grass when it's dry.
- A sharp blade makes for a sharp looking lawn. Grass recovers more quickly when cut cleanly.
Source: Lawn Maintenance brochure, Health Canada, 2002.
