When the heat of an Eau Claire summer hits, the instinct for many homeowners is to cut their grass shorter to “clean it up.” Surprisingly, this is one of the quickest ways to stress out your lawn.
To keep your grass resilient during these hot, dry weeks, we recommend following the “Mow High” rule.
Why does mowing height matter?
- Deep Root Growth: Grass length is directly related to root depth. When you keep your grass blades longer (aim for 3 to 3.5 inches), the roots grow deeper into the soil to find moisture, making the plant significantly more drought-tolerant.
- Natural Shade: Longer grass blades shade the soil surface. This creates a natural cooling effect that prevents the soil from drying out too quickly and suppresses weed germination by limiting the sunlight weeds need to sprout.
- Reduced Stress: Cutting too much of the grass blade at once (the “scalping” effect) forces the plant to spend its energy on leaf recovery rather than root health.
Three Quick Tips for July Mowing:
- Raise the Deck: Check your mower settings and ensure your deck is set to at least 3 inches.
- Keep Blades Sharp: Dull blades tear the grass rather than slicing it. This leaves jagged edges that turn brown and invite disease.
- Mow Frequently, Not Deep: Aim to never remove more than one-third of the grass blade at a single time. It’s better to mow slightly more often than to chop off too much at once.
Want a lawn that thrives all season long? Proper mowing is just one piece of the puzzle. If you need help with a custom summer maintenance plan, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s keep your yard looking its best.