Mowing

To improve the appearance of your lawn, mow regularly when your grass is dry and 3 to 3½ inches tall. Never cut it shorter than 2 inches. This will allow your lawn to have a larger and deeper root system—a stronger defense against weeds, diseases and drought.

Despite popular belief, clippings do not cause thatch buildup. In fact, research shows that returned clippings never contribute to thatch buildup. If you have thatch in your lawn, rent a dethatcher to remove it. A ½- to 1-inch layer of thatch is no problem, but any thicker layer will keep clippings from reaching the soil.

Use a sharp mower blade and mow frequently. A sharp blade and frequent mowing will mean finer clippings that will decompose quickly. Mulching kits also are available to retrofit some mowers.

Avoid over-fertilizing your lawn

At most, fertilize the lawn in May, September and late November. Remember, the more you fertilize, the more frequently you will have to mow. To further cut back on work, use a slow or controlled-release fertilizer.

Leave your clippings behind

Removing lawn clippings can be a time-consuming chore. Save time by leaving your grass clippings on the lawn after mowing. The recycled nutrients could save about 20 percent of your annual fertilizer costs. A ton of fresh grass clippings contains about 15 pounds of nitrogen, 2 pounds of phosphorous and 10 pounds of potassium—major sources of nutrients for your lawn.

Clippings also increase the organic content of the soil and earthworm activity, and improve soil aeration and water movement through the soil. All of that means that you get a better lawn.

A ton of grass clippings also contains more than 1,700 pounds of water. Since grass clippings account for almost 20 percent of all curbside waste, occasionally leaving clippings on your lawn can save landfill space and help your lawn retain moisture.

If you still choose to collect your grass clippings, do it every other mowing in the spring and fall. Researchers found homeowners who stopped bagging their clippings saved an average of seven hours of mowing a year. If you want to collect your clippings occasionally, recycle them as a mulch in planting beds or add to the compost pile.

Other tips:

• Cut fescue grass 1½" in the winter and 2½" in the summer. (Adjust mowing height gradually.)
  
  
• For best results, mow in a different direction each time you mow.
  
  
• Set your mower to the proper height to promote a healthy lawn and to reduce water use.
  
  
• Recommended mowing heights are 2½" to 3" for Tall Fescue and ¾" to 1½" for Bermuda.