Maintaining healthy turf in North Carolina requires the use of proper lawn mowing techniques. However, mowing isn't always straightforward, and several common mistakes could be hindering your efforts. Failing to vary mowing patterns results in grass being flattened in one direction and can also lead to soil ruts. Neglecting to adjust your mower's deck height according to your turf type can also cause damage, as different types require specific heights for optimal health. Additionally, bagging grass clippings instead of leaving them deprives your lawn of the valuable nutrients they have to offer. By avoiding these typical lawn mowing errors, you can foster a thriving and resilient turf.

1. Not rotating mowing patterns each time you mow.

Rotated mowing patterns on a lawn in Matthews, NC.

Mowing in the same pattern repeatedly is a common mistake that can damage your turf. Switching mowing patterns might not be a top-of-mind consideration each time you mow, but it's essential in order to prevent an unattractive look and health issues. When you rotate the mowing patterns, you can avoid continuously pushing the grass in one direction. This will also prevent ruts from developing on your lawn. If ruts do form due to this mowing mistake, they can eventually cause soil compaction, which can negatively affect the health of your lawn.

Compacted soil can greatly restrict the growth of your grass by preventing the roots from accessing water and other resources!

2. Not adjusting your mower's deck height to your specific turf type.

A recently mowed lawn in Matthews, NC, with an orange mower.

Maintaining the proper height of your grass is essential. The reason for this is that different types of grass need to be kept at certain heights in order to promote optimal health. Before mowing your lawn, you should adjust the mower's deck height to accommodate your specific type of turf. Take into consideration the current length of the grass and its type to determine the appropriate mower deck height. For example, if you have tall fescue grass, you want to cut it to 4 inches. However, if you have bermudagrass, you should cut it to 3 1/2 inches. This will prevent you from cutting it too short or keeping it too long.

3. Bagging the grass clippings after mowing instead of leaving them on your lawn.

Leaving grass clippings on your lawn can provide health benefits! Therefore, it's beneficial to avoid bagging grass clippings after mowing. The clippings contain essential nutrients your grass needs to thrive, such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous. When you leave them on your lawn after mowing, they gradually decompose and return those nutrients. Since they mainly consist of water, they'll also hydrate your grass and improve moisture retention. Choosing against bagging your grass clippings is also the more environmentally friendly option. If grass clippings are left on your lawn, they won't be put in a bag and transported to a local landfill where they'll add to waste build-up.

Schedule our lawn mowing service by calling us today.

If you want to ensure your lawn is mowed correctly, our team of professionals at Carolina Turf Lawn and Landscape is here to help! You can schedule a one-time cut for the first mow or sign up for weekly mowing through our lawn mowing service. As part of this service, we will come out to your property every week and will be sure to rotate mowing patterns each visit. We will also adjust the mower's deck height depending on the specific type of turf to ensure optimal health. Additionally, we will be sure not to bag the grass clippings so your lawn can reap all the benefits from them! We offer this service to residential and commercial properties, as well as HOAs, in Matthews, Weddington, Ballantyne, NC, and many other nearby cities. Reach out to us today at (704) 649-0430 to sign up!