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Mowing your turf

General Comments

Mowing your turf is the single most important activity you can do to maintain a beautiful lawn. Grass is dynamic and responds to changes. Your turf will get used to how much you cut off and being cut to the same height. If you dramatically lower the height of cut or let the grass grow too long before cutting it, you can injure or even kill your lawn. Dark green leaves can withstand the intense rays of the sun, but those parts of your turf near the soil, which are shaded by the leaves, are very sensitive to the sun. Therefore, if you scalp your turf and expose those tender tissues near the soil, the sun may scorch your turf. Scorched turf will turn yellow, grow slowly and may even die. In general the longer the turf, the deeper the roots. However, if lawns are mown higher than 20mm, there will be sufficient roots.

How soon after your new turf is laid should you mow it?

Most people wait too long! Your Rolawn Medallion^® turf was conditioned to a cut height of 25mm and Minster Pro^® turf to 12mm. With new Rolawn turf you may need to mow it 2-3 days after it is laid. If this is the case, make sure that the turf is well rooted before you use a rotary mower, because the draught created by a rotary mower could lift the turf. You should try and mow your turf whenever it is over 30mm long.

How high should you mow your turf?

The actual height of the turf is a matter of preference. However, if most amenity lawns are mown shorter than 25mm it will weaken the turf, allow more weeds to encroach and in general, require more care. Rolawn mowed your new turf at 25mm because it provides a high quality appearance. You can raise the height of cut if you want to. If you let your lawn get much higher than normal, raise up the height of cut. Then, each time you mow bring it down by a third, until it is the height you want.

How often should the grass be mown?

Mow the grass as often as it needs it throughout the year. Your lawn will grow at different rates as the temperature changes, after you fertilise or water, and so on. If you are mowing properly you should not see much clippings on the turf. You cannot damage your turf by mowing it every day or even twice a day.

Should you collect the grass clippings?

It is not necessary to collect your clippings unless they cover the grass and block the sunlight from reaching the lawn. Grass clippings are rich in nutrients, and by returning them to the turf in small amounts you are actually creating a healthier turf. Grass clippings do not contribute to making thatch. In fact, by adding them back to the turf your thatch will form slower. On the other hand, you can collect the clippings if you want to. Clipping removal causes no significant loss of nutrients. Clippings are only a problem if you mow your grass improperly.

What type of mower is best?

The best type of mower is one that you maintain well, keep sharp and use regularly. The type of cutting action makes only a minor difference. A sharp mower is most important. A dull mower will damage the leaves, allow for more disease development and make the lawn look shabby. Both cylinder and rotary types of mowers work well. To select the mower that is right for you, consult the brochures of the leading manufacturers, chat with your neighbours or the grounds staff at sports clubs in your vicinity.

Remember

Mow your new Rolawn turf as soon as it needs it. It is not the height of cut, but how much of the leaf you cut off that is important. Never remove more than a third of the grass height at any one time.