Mastering Mowing for a Lush, Dense Lawn in Spring—in Ballard

Proper mowing is far more than curb appeal—it governs turf health at the cellular level. Removing more than one-third of the blade at once “scalps” the grass, forcing plants to burn precious carbohydrate reserves and weakening their ability to compete with weeds. Consistent, correct mowing promotes deep roots, uniform density, and that rewarding emerald canopy.

Best Practices

• Maintain blade height at 2–2.5 inches for bluegrass/fescue/rye blends.

• Never cut more than one-third of the leaf blade per pass.

• Keep blades razor-sharp—shredded tips appear white and invite disease.

• Vary mowing patterns to prevent compaction and uncut spikes.

• Embrace mulching or side-discharge, leaving finely chopped clippings as natural fertilizer.

Handling Overgrown Lawns

Missed a week or two? Avoid scalping by lowering the deck gradually: mow 6″ down to 4″, then to 3″ before settling at your target height. This staged approach preserves leaf surface and prevents patchy browning.