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.
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.
Why you shouldn't mow your lawn every week? ›Even if you're performing weekly mowing, if you're cutting the grass too short, it could still turn yellow from stress. When you mow too short, you also invite weeds into your lawn. Opportunistic weeds are much more likely to invade weakened lawns, than dense and thriving ones.
How often should I mow my lawn in summer in Virginia? ›Weekly mowing is usually adequate during the growing season. You should only be cutting one-third of the grass blades at any one time to reach that maximum height of 3.5 to 4 inches. Sharp mower blades and ensuring you have a level mowing deck can produce a fine and even cut.
Why only cut 1/3 of grass? ›By removing only one-third of the leaf during a mowing event, you will limit the amount of photosynthesizing material removed and allow the plant to maintain reasonable growth by minimising this stress among others.
Does frequent mowing thicken grass? ›Generally, yes. Mowing frequently is the key to a healthy lawn because each cut encourages the grass to grow thicker, creating a luscious, dense lawn. You can also block out weeds and make your turf more resilient, which is essential for a long-term, strong lawn.
When shouldn't you mow your lawn? ›Don't mow just before the sunset
If it doesn't have time to heal, you risk exposing your freshly cut grass to disease. The optimal time to mow later in the day is between 4-6 p.m.. Pro tip: You shouldn't water your grass late in the day, either. Learn more in our guide for the when and how to water.
It's best to avoid mowing at midday when the sun is at its peak. The heat can stress the freshly cut grass and make it more susceptible to disease. Instead, aim for the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or late afternoon.
Why is it better to mow your lawn at night? ›Mow in the Evening
Because it tends to be cooler at this time, the roots retain their moisture. The blades of grass also have an entire night to recover before being sapped by the sun again in the morning. Conversely, wet, dewy grass can clog your mower deck.
Can you mow too often? ›
Mowing too often, especially if you remove the grass clippings, runs the risk of depleting nutrients and can increase the build-up of thatch – that spongy layer that can cause issue with the health of the lawn.
When should I overseed my lawn in Virginia? ›Ideally, seeding should always be performed in the fall. Not only does this allow you to get through the spring season utilizing the professional weed control products that your lawn will need to look its best, but weather conditions in the fall are ideal for new seedling growth.
How often should I fertilize my lawn in Virginia? ›Fertilize in the Fall
Applications of fertilizer containing nitrogen should be made from September through November. By leaving grass clippings on the lawn all summer, you can reduce the need for artificial nitrogen 20 to 30 percent after the first year and 35 to 45 percent after the second year.
So what type of grass should be used for Northern Virginia lawns? Without a doubt, turf-type tall fescue is the best-adapted turfgrass for Northern Virginia lawns. That's because it tends to have the deepest root system of the different types of cool-season grasses.
Do it yourself lawn care schedule in Virginia? ›Weekly mowing is usually adequate during the growing season. You should only be cutting one-third of the grass blades at any one time to reach that maximum height of 3.5 to 4 inches. Sharp mower blades and ensuring you have a level mowing deck can produce a fine and even cut.
What is the mowing season in Virginia? ›Mowing, Edging, and Trimming
All turf areas shall be mowed every 7 to 10 days from mid March through mid November (estimated 32 weeks). Mower blades will be sharp at all times to provide a high quality cut and minimize disease. Mowing height will be in accordance to grass type and variety.
Here in Fairfax, mowing should occur every 7-10 days in Spring and Fall. In summer you can generally switch to bi-weekly as the grass goes dormant and does not grow as quickly. The rule of thumb is to cut off no more than 1/3 of the length of grass. Fertilization is another must have.
When to stop mowing in Virginia? ›Depending upon the weather, the lawn mowing season in Virginia can go as late as the end of November. With that final mowing, your lawn should be mowed to the lowest recommended height for your grass type.