Grass Cutting & Edge Trimming

Never cut off more than a third of your grass height.

As landscaping science continues to progress, you won't need to continue edging and trimming your lawn in the same way. Using the right tools in the right order will help you work smarter, not harder.

Edging

Contrary to popular opinion, edging should be the first step in your lawn care process. Trimming the grass along your driveway and sidewalks first saves you work by letting the mower take care of the grass clippings.

Trimming

Once you've finished edging, use a weed trimmer or string trimmer to cut grass near trees, around deck supports and in other spaces the mower won't reach. Be especially careful when trimming around trees, because they can suffer serious damage if the trimmer penetrates the cambium layer of the tree. The best way to avoid harming your trees is to surround them with at least a small circle of mulch.

Mowing

Once the trimming and edging is complete, cut your grass to two thirds of its original height. Grass should be on the longer side during the heat of the summer and a little shorter during cooler temperatures.

Plant Growth Regulators

Cut down on your yard work by using chemical plant growth regulators around the parts of your yard you normally edge. These regulators can reduce plant growth by 75 percent, allowing you to go longer between each edging.

References

• Grounds Maintenance: The Cutting Edge
• RLROUSE Directory and Informational Resources: The Right Way to Mow and Edge Your Lawn
• Dummies.com: Mowing Your Lawn the Right Way