How to mow your lawn less during the summer

It’s almost summertime, and those who have a warm-season lawn (like St. Augustine, bermuda, zoysia or centipede), this is the prime growing season. That also means it’s prime mowing season.

To mow a lawn less during the summer for warm-season grasses like St. Augustine, bermuda, zoysia, and centipede, consider these options: Mulch mow weekly to reduce time by 20%, mow and bag every other week to save 50% but maintain a clean look, or mulch mow every other week to save 60% in mowing time if a pristine appearance isn’t a priority.

Option 1: Mulch and Mow Weekly — To reduce your total mowing time by about 20%, eliminate the time required to stop and bag clippings. If your mower has a mulch setting, use it instead.

If your mower doesn’t have a mulch option, simply mow without bagging. This only works if you mow weekly, as leaving un-bagged clippings can create an unsightly appearance if allowed to dry and accumulate.

Option 2: Mow and Bag Every Other Week — Another option is to mow every other week and bag the clippings. This can reduce your mowing time by 50%, but you’ll need to bag the clippings to maintain a clean look.

The downside is that if you miss a mowing due to rain or vacation, you’ll need to remove almost twice as much leaf blade the following week. This can be problematic, as removing more than a third of the total leaf blade at once is not advisable.

If you miss a mowing using this strategy, you may need to mow twice the following week, each time removing half as much, to get back to your normal mowing height.

Option 3: Mulch and Mow Every Other Week — If you’re less concerned about a pristine look and just want to keep your grass presentable, you can mulch and mow every other week. This will save you 60% in mowing time.

Regardless of which strategy you choose, it’s recommended you mow your lawn at the highest recommended height for your grass type.

Helpful Tip: Alter Your Fertilizer Inputs — To further reduce mowing, consider a lawn fertility program that promotes greenness without excessive leaf growth. Look for products that don’t rely heavily on nitrogen, like the Lawnifi Summer Fertilizer Box, a liquid fertilizer that is efficient, effective and easy to use.

Ultimately, there are a variety of options to choose from to reduce mowing inputs during the hot summer months. A part of having a thriving, beautiful lawn means it will want to grow — so frequent mowing is a must. These three strategies are great options to reduce mowing inputs and time spent outside without causing any damage or harm to your lawn.

Special Photo: Sod Solutions