Massachusetts Lawn Mowing & Maintenance
When the chill of winter finally releases its hold the Northeast, your mind is probably occupied by visions of Red Sox games and summer trips to the Cape. But what you should really be thinking about is lawn care and maintenance.
You know the drill, when spring rolls around each year in Massachusetts, it's time to break out the mower and get to work. At Lawn Love, we know what it takes to make your lawn shine year in and year out, which is why we offer a variety of services year round, such as:
- Lawn Mowing
- Gardening
- Lawn Fertilization
- Lawn Aeration
- Weed Control
- Lawn Seeding
- Yard Clean Up
- Leaf Removal
- Gutter Cleaning
- Snow Removal
- Christmas light installation
Our services are offered across Massachusetts in:
- Boston
- Newton
- Springfield
- Worcester
No matter if you choose to do your lawn care yourself or hire the professionals at Lawn Love, it's always important to be educated about your lawn and the things that should be done to keep it healthy — and rivaling the look of Fenway Park. The lawn care task that can have a huge impact on the health and look of your lawn is mowing, so we've put together a little primer to help you understand a few of the most important aspects of lawn mowing.
When to Begin
If the New England weather cooperates, you should start mowing in early May and continue through October. But because New England weather doesn't always do what we want, the mowing season can really begin and end at various times. May through October is the general mowing season, so keep an eye on your lawn so you know when to start.
What Kind of Grass Do You Have?
One of the first major hurdles to tackle when trying to know what's best for your lawn is knowing what type of grass is growing in it. Most lawns in Massachusetts have one, or a mix, of these four types of grasses:
- Ryegrass
- Fine Leaf Fescue
- Kentucky Bluegrass
- Tall Fescue
Both ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass are high maintenance grasses. That means they need to be mowed often, require regular fertilization, and frequent watering in the heat of summer. Fine leaf fescue is more low maintenance, growing well in dry shade, while tall fescue requires a little more work since it usually requires overseeding in the fall or spring.
Ideal Mowing Height
Each type of grass also has an ideal mowing height, which is the range of height the grass should be kept in. This will impact how often you need to mow. The ideal mowing height for each grass is:
- Ryegrass — 1.5 to 2.5 inches
- Fine Leaf Fescue — 2.0 to 2.5 inches
- Kentucky Bluegrass — 1.5 to 2.5 inches
- Tall Fescue — 3.0 to 3.5 inches
If you're unsure what type of grass you're growing in your lawn, then this turfgrass identification tool can help!
Why is mowing height so important? Well, the height you cut your grass can be the difference between a lawn that is lush and healthy and a lawn that is being overtaken by weeds, disease, and pests. Mowing your lawn too short won't allow the sun to reach the blades, which stops photosynthesis dead it in its tracks — and photosynthesis is how the grass survives. Cutting your lawn to proper height allows your grass to get the nutrients it needs to build root systems and stay strong all year long.
How Often to Mow
Sure, you know the ideal height of the grass, but what does that translate to for frequency? Every lawn is different and how fast your lawn grows determines how often you should cut it. If the ideal height for your grass is two inches, then when it gets to three inches it needs to be cut. Be very careful never to cut more than one-third of the blade off at a time, since this can place too much stress on the grass and result in unhealthy grass that doesn't look so great.
A Few More Tips
There are just a couple of other tips you should know that will make for a successful mowing season. You should:
- Alternate the direction in which you cut your grass
- Always sharpen your mower blades at the beginning of the season
- Leave the clipping on your lawn, it's free fertilizer
- Never mow wet grass
Who knew that mowing could have so much nuance? If you feel a little overwhelmed, don't worry! The pros at Lawn Love are always here to take lawn care and maintenance off your shoulders, so you can head down to Fenway and enjoy those Cracker Jacks.
