How Often Should You Mow Your Lawn?

Lawn care takes a delicate balance, requiring the right amounts of fertilizer and water for optimal growth. Similarly, while regular mowing is essential, striking the right balance does more than just keep your lawn neat; it also contributes to its long-term health.

Many factors can influence the recommended mowing schedule, including the weather and time of the year. Whether you started a new lawn from seed, sod, or grass plugs can also make a difference in how often you should mow the lawn.

Initial Mow—When Should You Start Mowing?

Whether you've established a new lawn through sod installation or transplanting grass plugs, it's advisable to delay mowing until the new grass has established itself in its new environment. It usually takes around two weeks for the sod to root firmly and for the plugs to spread and cover the new area.

In contrast, when planting seed, it can take 3-6 weeks to germinate and a few more weeks for the new grass to reach maturity or a height of about 3-4 inches before it can withstand mowing. The longer timeframe and additional attention a seeded lawn requires make grass plugging more appealing. Grass plugs facilitate faster establishment, uniform coverage, and greater resistance to external factors like erosion and weed growth.

Mow Once a Week During the Growing Season

Different grass species flourish in different conditions. For example, warm-season grasses, like Zoysia, St. Augustine, and Bermuda grass are well-adapted to the warm, humid climate in Florida and grow most actively in late spring to early summer.

Naturally, grass tends to grow more aggressively during its peak growth, necessitating more frequent mowing. The general rule is to mow your lawn once a week when it's actively growing to maintain a well-manicured appearance.

Mow Less When the Grass is Dormant

Warm-season grasses usually go dormant and turn brown when temperatures drop below their optimal growth range of around 50°F. This dormancy is an adaptive mechanism to conserve energy and endure dry winter conditions. However, in Florida's mild and dry winter, these grasses may not go fully dormant and continue growing to some extent.

It means while you should continue your regular mowing routine, you will not have to cut your grass as often as during the active growing season. What matters is that you keep your grass at an optimal height, usually around 2.5-3 inches for warm-season varieties. Avoid cutting too much, making sure you don't scalp the lawn and expose the roots to harsh weather conditions.

Mow the lawn just before your grass comes out of dormancy. It will help kickstart the growing season by removing any dead or brown portions and allowing the emerging green grass to flourish, and ensure a healthy lawn.

Mow Based on How Fast Your Grass is Growing

Even during the active growth season, external factors like rainfall can influence your lawn's growth rate. For example, if there has been a lack of rain, the grass may grow more slowly, and mowing might not be necessary.

So, instead of adhering to a fixed schedule, pay attention to the height and growth rate of your grass, and adjust your mowing routine accordingly.

Remember the One-Third Rule

To stay right on track with your mowing routine, it's essential to adhere to the one-third rule: cut only one-third of the length of the grass blades in every mowing session. If you let the grass grow significantly beyond the optimal height, we recommend mowing in multiple sessions. Lower the height of the mower blades gradually in each session to give your grass time to adjust to the desired length without causing too much stress or shock.

This practice not only contributes to a well-manicured lawn but also keeps your lawn healthy. Cutting more than one-third of the grass at a time can lead to scalping, exposing the roots and making the lawn more vulnerable to damage.

Avoid Mowing the Lawn After a Rain

Mowing a wet lawn can be dangerous for both the lawn and the lawn mower. Particularly after rainfall, running a lawn mower over wet grass can compact the soil. The mower blades will also cut unevenly—it can tear the grass instead of cutting cleanly, leaving it more susceptible to pests and diseases.

Additionally, mowing wet grass poses safety risks as the wet blades can clump together, impeding the efficiency of the mower. The added moisture also makes the grass heavier, which not only can clog the mower blades, but also makes the mowing process less efficient and puts unnecessary strain on the machine.

Wait until the grass is dry before mowing to avoid these issues and ensure a safer and more efficient lawn care routine.

Avoid Waiting Too Long Between Each Mow

Maintaining a consistent mowing schedule is key to a healthy, beautiful lawn. However, it is equally important to not wait too long between each mow. Delaying mowing for an extended period can result in an overgrown lawn, which not only compromises the aesthetics of your property, but can also take a toll on your lawn health.

Overly long grass can compromise air circulation, creating a favorable environment for pests and fungal diseases, and discourages the formation of new shoots, leading to a thinner lawn.

Final Thoughts

How you should mow your lawn depends on many factors, including the type of grass, weather conditions, and the season. Striking the right balance between mowing regularly and avoiding excessive frequency is key to maintaining a healthy, green lawn.

While mowing ensures that the grass thrives and your property looks well-maintained, overdoing it can lead to scalping, causing more harm than good. By understanding the specific needs of your lawn, you can establish a mowing routine that promotes optimal growth and appearance without compromising the overall health of your grass.