A beautiful, well maintained lawn still needs proper, regular mowing to maintain its health and beauty.  During the peak summer growing times your lawn needs to be mowed every 5 to 7 days for optimum health.

    Keep your mower in good working order with a well sharpened blade so the grass is sliced rather than beaten to the proper length.  If your grass is perennial rye (most common) or a perennial rye and fescue mix you should trim it to 1.5" to 2" in height.  Less common bentgrass turf should be mowed to .75" to 1" in height.

    Grasscycling comes in at this stage.  Spread clippings evenly over the surface of your lawn instead of raking them and clogging your compost bin or filling your garbage or "clean green" recycling container with them.  As long as the clippings you leave behind are no more than 1/3 of the length of the grass remaining the clippings will break down in a number of days.  If the clippings are more than 1/3 the length of the turf the clippings will build up rather than break down.

    The last major component of Grasscycling is watering.   Proper watering is crucial to a healthy lawn and an effective Grasscycling program.   A properly watered lawn will remain healthy, hearty, and beautiful and will easily break down clippings between mowings.  Too much or too little water can result in weak, stringy, diseased turf.  For more information on proper lawn watering consult a specialist from your area to determine the best rates and times at which to water your lawn.

FOR TIPS ON GRASSCYCLING AND
OTHER ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
GARDENING PRACTICES E-MAIL:

Seattle Tilth

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