Three Lawnmowing Tips

Summer is here, so many of you are already spending more time playing in and working on your yard. Tim Daly from the Cooperative Extension Service has some advice on how to keep your lawn looking healthy and attractive all summer long: 

1. Keep your lawn mower blades sharp: Dull blades will shred the grass making it more prone to water loss and disease, leaving the grass with an unsightly brown appearance. 
2. Only remove the top one-third of the grass blade: A sudden reduction in height can damage the grass and make it more vulnerable to pests. If the grass gets too tall between mowings, increase the height of the cut and then gradually lower it to the recommended height for your type of grass. 
3. Let the grass clippings fall back onto the turf: They will break down and release nutrients, reducing the need for fertilizer. Frequent mowing will prevent the clippings from forming a thatch layer and will keep your lawn healthy.

For more landscaping and gardening advice, visit the Gwinnett County Cooperative Extension Service website.