Lawn mowing is one of those services that can sometimes be an afterthought. Homeowners know that it has to be completed—or else their lawn will start to look like an overgrown mess—but most of the time they aren’t thinking too much about how or even when it’s performed. Unfortunately, this can be a detriment to the lawn. Failing to mow properly, including on the right schedule, can be impactful to your lawn’s health and performance. The truth is, even if you feel like you can live with your lawn a little taller, mowing every two weeks as opposed to weekly mowing is not ideal for the overall health of your lawn. While bi-weekly mowing is an option that Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape will sometimes offer in an effort to be flexible with what homeowners prefer, we’ll explain why if you want the healthiest and best-looking lawn, you should opt for weekly mowing. The main reason why weekly mowing is a best practice is that it doesn’t put as much stress on the lawn’s health. After all, you have to remember that your lawn is made up of all these different grass plants, and as with any plant, cutting it can cause stress. However, cutting more frequently is actually much less stressful on the grass than waiting more than a week in between mows and making a drastic cut. That’s because you’re cutting a smaller amount of the grass height at a time. Ideally, you want to cut a maximum of one-third from the tip of the grass blade to make the cut the least traumatic. When you cut more than that, your grass is likely to turn yellow as it struggles from the stress that it’s been put under. If weekly mowing is truly the best practice, you might wonder why bi-weekly mowing would be an option. At Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape, we have always been appreciated for our honesty and transparency and it’s no different with our mowing plans. We are clear in telling homeowners that weekly mowing is best for their lawn. However, we have also always aimed to be flexible and meet our clients’ specific needs. Some clients prefer bi-weekly mowing because they’re not aiming to have the best lawn on the block, they just want it mowed before it gets completely out of control. We are clear that this is going to impact the lawn’s vigor and overall green color and clients who use this plan accept this reality. Some homeowners also want bi-weekly mowing because it’s what best fits their budget. Of course, it’s important to note that when you break down the price-per-service, there is actually a cost-saving to weekly mowing. Yes, you pay more in total but the price-per-service is less. However, it’s important to mention that we do not offer mowing every two weeks to homeowners with irrigation systems and already lush lawns as we want to help homeowners protect their investment. Not everyone is eligible for this plan. Most bi-weekly mowing clients may also not be lawn care clients. Because lawn care services like fertilization are going to make the grass grow even faster, it’s even more important to keep up with weekly mowing when your lawn is receiving treatments. It’s also counterproductive to invest in lawn care, which will help promote the overall health of your lawn, and then not mow regularly. In many ways, poor mowing habits can undo all of the hard work and progress from a lawn care program. In fact, some of our clients who handle their own mowing make timing and other mistakes that end up impacting the quality of their lawn’s health and that ends up being a major source of frustration. Here are two common mowing mistakes that can impact your lawn care results. Because these mistakes are easy to make with a DIY approach to mowing, it may be easier to just hand these services over to a pro. At the end of the day, by choosing professional mowing services, you’ll not only support the optimal health of your lawn, but you’ll have professional-looking results. Plus, you’ll also take the burden off of your plate. Most homeowners find mowing to be just that—a burden that they have to make time for (usually on their weekend, when they’d rather be doing something else). If you only have time to mow on the weekends, you’ve probably also noticed how one weekend’s bad weather can mean pushing mowing off and then having to make one of those traumatic cuts because your lawn is suddenly out of control. However, when you hand your mowing services over to a professional, that burden is now off of your shoulders. You won’t have to worry about the timing or setting aside an hour of the weekend. Instead, it just gets done for you—and you have a professional-looking, impressive lawn. Plus, if your lawn has some fallen debris like small twigs or leaves, those will get mulched up and mixed into the lawn to breakdown and add nutrients. While that’s certainly no substitute for leaf removal during the prime fall months, it will keep your lawn looking neat and tidy when extra debris falls. If you’re reading this article, it’s probably because you care about your lawn care results. You’re most likely wondering how often should I mow because you want to mow the right amount for your lawn’s health. Instead of having to worry about this, you can hand your mowing services for your Alexandria, Arlington, or Springfield, VA home over to a pro, and know that you’re going to get the best results. Put simply, mowing has a much bigger impact than people tend to realize in how their lawn looks and performs. But by working with a professional who follows best practices, you’ll begin to see an impressive difference. Don’t let mowing ruin your chances of a fantastic lawn—instead, request your quote, consider choosing the King Package from our 3 lawn care package options, and relax as you get the royal treatment.
Why is Weekly Mowing the Optimal Choice?
Is Mowing Every Two Weeks an Option?
Choosing Professional Mowing Services in Alexandria, Arlington, and Springfield, VA
After all, when we perform mowing, we’re also doing some of the value-add services that come along with it like edging around hard surfaces for a clean look. We’re also blowing off all of your hard surfaces with a blower. These are added tasks that you no longer have to worry about.An Impressive Difference
FAQs
How often should I mow my lawn in Virginia? ›
Mow Weekly for the Best Results
You're putting it under tremendous stress by allowing grass to get so tall between mowing services. The best practice is to cut a maximum of one-third from the tip of the grass blade, no matter how long the grass is. Mowing more than one-third is just too stressful for the grass.
The rate of grass growth and desired height of your lawn determine how often you need to mow. Typically, mowing once a week during the growing season should suffice to keep your lawn healthy. The rest of the time, you can reduce the frequency of cutting to every other week, as necessary.
How often should you do lawn maintenance? ›At its core, "how often" is an interrogative phrase used to inquire about the frequency or regularity of an action or event. It allows speakers to specify a number of actions or events within a specific time frame, providing valuable insights into habits, routines, and patterns.
How often do you need to mow? ›Normally, weekly mowing is the rule, but some lawns need cutting more often. Other lawns will grow more slowly and might need cutting only once every ten days or two weeks. Generally, don't cut off more than one third of the grass blade. More than that may harm the grass.
When should I fertilize my lawn in northern Virginia? ›Fall is the best time to fertilize, when the roots that will sustain the plants through the following summer are actively growing. Even if you missed fall fertilization, you should limit spring fertilization to a light feeding (. 5 lbs. of 10-10-10 per 1000 sq.
What height should I cut my grass in Virginia? ›Virginia Green Lawn Care recommends maintaining turf at 3.5-4 inches measured with a ruler in the lawn after mowing. When mowing, remove no more than one-third of vertical shoot growth per mowing, as this may damage the plants and cause yellowing of the turf.
Why only cut 1/3 of grass? ›By following the one-third rule for grass-cutting, you leave sufficient foliage to overcome the stress caused by cutting and to power the lawn's healthy growth via photosynthesis.
Is it better to cut grass more often? ›It's easier, feeds the grass and leads to a better-looking and healthier lawn. "Frequent mowing, about once a week during the growing season, will have a greater impact on turf quality than any other lawn care practice except irrigation in the summer."
When not to cut grass? ›Never mow wet or frosty grass
This can damage your turf and compact the soil. Wait until later in the day when the lawn has dried out or defrosted, or postpone mowing to another day.
On the other hand, watering longer but less frequently, “deep watering,” produces deep roots that mean lawns can better survive periods of drought. The ideal watering schedule is once or twice per week, for about 25 to 30 minutes each time. Taking care of a lawn doesn't have to be an overwhelming, all-consuming task.
Should you edge your lawn every week? ›
Edging is an important task for your lawn. Even if you mow your lawn every week but failed to trim the edges, your lawn will still look to be unkempt. You need to have your own durable edge trimmer and trim your lawn's sprawling grass at the edges once a week.
How long does it take for a lawn to look good? ›A new lawn starting from seed can take two to three years to become the thick, healthy carpet you want. Remember, grass is a living plant. It takes time to grow and develop.
Why shouldn't you mow your lawn every week? ›Mowing every two weeks — instead of weekly — and not dousing grass with chemical herbicides and fertilizers, helps the environment and supports the health of bees, which are among the world's most important pollinators.
Should you leave grass clippings on your lawn? ›As a general rule, grass clippings of an inch or less in length can be left on your lawn where they will filter down to the soil surface and decompose quickly. Remove longer clippings because they can shade or smother grass beneath causing lawn damage. Don't throw out bagged grass clippings as yard waste.
What are the best mow times? ›However, most professional gardeners would agree that between 8 AM and 10 AM is the best time of day to cut your grass. The reason for that is that lawns need time to heal before evening. Grass needs the benefit of the day to dry and heal before dusk settles.
How often should I water grass in Virginia? ›For robust turf and landscapes, water deeply but infrequently to promote strong roots and minimize weeds. To reach the ideal 1 – 1.5 inches of weekly watering, consider smaller, spaced waterings every 2-3 days. This method prevents runoff and allows water to penetrate the soil effectively.
How to take care of a lawn in Virginia? ›- Know Your Grass Type: ...
- Mow at the Correct Height: ...
- Water Deeply and Infrequently: ...
- Fertilize Appropriately: ...
- Practice Proper Lawn Aeration: ...
- Control Weeds and Pests: ...
- Overseed Bare or Thin Areas: ...
- Provide Adequate Drainage:
The best time to mow the lawn is late afternoon or early evening. During this time, the day's heat has passed, but there's still enough light to see what you're doing. Mowing at this time allows the grass to heal before nightfall, reducing the risk of disease and fungal infections.
What is the best height to cut grass? ›| Grass Type | Height to Mow At | How High to Cut |
|---|---|---|
| Fine Fescue | 4-6 in. | 3-4 in. |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | 4-6 in. | 3-4 in. |
| Perennial Ryegrass | 4-6 in. | 3-4 in. |
| Bermuda Grass | 3-4 in. | 2-2 ½ in. |