1. Make sure the mower blade is sharp. A dull blade tears the grass instead of cutting cleanly often leaving the lawn looking ragged and uneven. Open tears also stress the grass plant allowing for disease to enter the plant. A brown or yellowing appearance may follow a few days after mowing when using a dull blade.
Have your mower blade sharpened twice a year if you can. Once in the beginning of the season and again half way through.
A sharp blade is not only healthy for your lawn it gives the lawn a clean manicured appearance following a mowing.
2. Cut higher during the hot, dry summer months. June, July and August are the typical hot months with sometimes very little rain. Higher mowed turf shades the soil keeping it cool and helps prevent some evaporation. A good height during the summer months is around 3 to 3.5 inches high.
You can lower your mowing height in the spring and fall when rain and cooler temps are more prevalent.
3. Mow more often. Mow at least once a week .
The general rule of thumb for mowing is never to remove more than one-third of total grass blade length at a single cutting. The greenest part of the grass is in the leaves. Removing to much of the leaves at one time can cause damage to the crown of the plant causing real harm, not to mention the yellowing and thinning out.
