Basic Lawn Maintenance: Mow, Sharpen, Feed – Fool the Neighbors

A worried new homeowner couple asked how to keep neighbors from thinking they're incompetent. My advice: "Keep the lawn mowed. You can fool the neighbors for years if you just keep the grass neat."

At 20 mph, a freshly mown lawn looks the same whether it's weed-free or not. Mowing is easy; mowing correctly takes a bit more knowledge.

The Right Height

Many weeds spread by seed, with seedheads taller than grass. Regular mowing at correct height chops off weed seeds before maturity.

Grass	Mowing Height (inches)
Tall Fescue	2–3
Common Bermudagrass	1–2
Hybrid Bermudagrass	0.5–1.5
Zoysiagrass	0.5–1.5
Centipedegrass	1–1.5
St. Augustinegrass	2–3
Ryegrass	1–2

Measure height: park mower on pavement, disconnect spark plug, rotate blade to discharge chute, measure blade-to-pavement distance. Or mow a flat area and measure grass height with a ruler.

Centipedegrass & zoysiagrass are especially sensitive to high mowing. Centipede spreads by stolons; too high → stolons climb, exposed to cold/drought. Dr. Gil Landry: mowing height is THE most important factor for centipede. Zoysia's lower stems are high in silica; clippings don't decompose, forming thatch. Roots grow into thatch, die in drought. Proper mowing = proper fertilizing for turf health.

Sharp Blade

Replace dull blades rather than sharpen – costs about the same as sharpening time/trouble. Dull blades shred grass → tan-brown tips (amateur giveaway). Shredded blades lose more water – a health risk in summer heat.

Feed It Twice (Timing Is Easy)

• Fescue: September and November
• Bermuda, zoysia, centipede, St. Augustine: April and June

Any lawn fertilizer at the right time keeps grass reasonably happy. Whether your landscape is established or brand new, attention to these mowing details creates a "well-maintained" aura. Your house interior can be a wreck – but a manicured lawn keeps neighbors fooled!

zoysia mowed too low

Effect of dull blade