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Mow It High: How to Get Rid of Weeds and Have a Healthy Lawn

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mowing higher is better for your lawn

When someone asks me to tell them the secret to getting rid of weeds and having a healthy lawn I always say the same thing: mow high. Cutting the grass too short is probably the most abused cultural practice by the average homeowner. I think the cause is due to a syndrome called the “Golf Course Syndrome” or “I want my lawn to look like a golf course putting green.”

Your Lawn Is Not a Golf Course.

The first thing to understand is that a golf course is all about having nice-looking greens, tees and fairways. They spend large amounts of money making it look that way. The second thing is that the average home lawn does not have the same type of grass that can be found on a golf course, nor do homeowners spend an equivalent amount of money caring for it. Finally, golf courses use mowing equipment that is completely different from what the average homeowner uses. I recently participated in a webinar called Managing Broadleaf and Grassy Weeds in Warm-Season Turf, hosted by Landscape Management Magazine and sponsored by NuFarm Chemical Company. The co-presenter on the webinar was Dr. Jim Brosnan, Associate Professor, Turfgrass Weed Science at the University of Tennessee. During his presentation, Dr. Brosnan included the results of a study conducted by two researchers from Ohio State and Oklahoma State University, who determined that by raising the mowing height by 1/64 of an inch, photosynthesis will increase by 13%. That is an amazing statistic. It goes along well with what I have been telling people for years; the shorter you mow, the less food the plant can produce. So, give your lawn a break and mow high. It will be greener, healthier and more weed free if you do!

A Nice looking Lawn - Expert Lawn Care Tips


If your lawn still needs help, give us a call! Your local Spring-Green owner is well versed in all aspects of lawn care, including disease treatments, grass care, weed control, and more.