Proper mowing practices are essential in maintaining a quality lawn. Frequent and at proper height. This practice in conjunction with proper watering facilitates spreading of desired grasses into bare spots. Do not remove more than 1/3 grass height at one time.

   Mowing heights: (1) Before green-up -- 1 inch/scalp to remove dead grass. (2) Spring -- 1½ inches. (3) Summer -- 2 inches. (4) Fall -- 2½ inches.

    Another critical factor in mowing is maintaining a sharp mower blade. A sharp mower blade makes a clean cut, which heals quickly with a minimum of moisture loss. A dull mower blade makes a blunt uneven, ragged, damaging cut which takes longer to heal resulting in more moisture loss, browning tips and increased disease susceptibility.

    Other good mowing practices include not mowing grass during the hottest part of a day or when the turf is showing signs of heat stress. A hot lawn mower going over a hot lawn during hot weather will cause a quick heat stress browning effect within 24 hours