Frequent mowing at the proper height keeps your lawn thick. A dense carpet of turf competes with invading weeds and withstands foot traffic. Meanwhile, a lawn that is allowed to grow tall during a two-week vacation and then is cut back to its original height will be left thin and weakened. Weed seeds find their way to the surface of the soil and take hold.

How Often Should I Mow?

When you mow depends upon how fast your lawn is growing. The rule of thumb is never to remove more than one-third of the grass blades. When moisture is plentiful and the lawn is well fed, you may have to mow every four to five days to keep it at the desired height. If the weather has been dry, the lawn's growth will slow down. Delay mowing until after watering or rain. Mowing a parched lawn will open it up to sun and wind, leaving it even drier.

How Tall Should My Lawn Grow?

The ideal cutting height can vary with the type of grass. During the hot, dry months of summer, it is a good idea to let it get a little taller. By letting your lawn grow to the taller end of its range, you will have a deeper rooted turf that is more resistant to both weeds and drought.

Should I Bag The Clippings?

Collecting the clippings gives a neat appearance, but this also removes nutrients from the lawn. If you can mow often and not let the clippings get too long, a mulching mower does a good job of chopping and blowing the clippings into the turf where they break down and release their nutrients back to the soil. And don't worry mulching mowers will not increase thatch.