How to Mow Bermuda Grass Short

Bermuda grass can be a high maintenance, yet rewarding lawn. The most common mistake is cutting this grass too long, which leaves it looking shaggy. When cut between 1/4 and 3/4 inches this drought-tolerant grass looks and performs its best. You may cut your lawn up to 1-1/2 inches long and still have it appear well-maintained. With the right mowing equipment, you can make your lawn a well-manicured paradise. Use the wrong equipment and fail to follow a proper maintenance schedule for Bermuda grass, and your lawn will suffer.

Things You'll Need

• Seven-bladed reel mower
• Gasoline
• Work gloves

Instructions

1. If not already owned, purchase a seven-bladed reel mower from a local garden shop or hardware store. If you have a large lawn, a gasoline-powered lawn mower will be ideal. Small lawns can get away with a manual, push-behind type. If this is out of the budget, a rotary lawn mower set at a height of 1 to 1 1/2 inches will work.

2. Pour gasoline into the tank and check the oil of the lawn mower. Ensure the spark plug is clean and consult owner's manual to see if any other maintenance should be completed before starting the lawn mower.

3. Check the height of the lawn mower. If using a reel mower, set it the height between 1/4 and 3/4 inches depending on desired lawn height. If using a rotary mower, set the height no higher than 1-1/2 inches to ensure the best-looking cut .

4. Mow the lawn. This will need to be done between one and three times per week. The higher the mower is set, the longer you can go in between mowing. Try to ensure no more than one-third the grass blade is being cut at any given time. Mowing frequency may change depending on weather conditions, which influence grass growth rates. Clippings may be left on the lawn as they do not contribute to thatch and restore valuable nutrients to the soil.

5. Every four to six weeks during the growing season, spread a high-quality fertilizer according to manufacturer's recommendations. Look for a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen content to encourage lush, green growth of your Bermuda grass.

6. In periods of drought, see that the lawn gets supplemental watering. Aim to provide your lawn with 1 to 1-1/2 inches of water per week. Measure this by putting a saucer out on the lawn and see how much collects in it from your sprinkler system.

Tips & Warnings

• Give your lawn large amounts of water infrequently. This encourages deep root growth and a much more vigorous lawn.

• Use organic fertilizers if possible. They increase the organic content of the soil and pose less of a risk to burn your lawn.

• Aerate your lawn yearly, preferably in the fall, with a core aerator to increase oxygen to root contact.

• Too much water may lead to insects and diseases such as dollar patch, brown spot and nematodes.

• Too much fertilizer may lead to lawn burning and possibly dying.

References

• Lawn Mowers for Bermuda Grass
• Bermuda Grass
• Mowing Bermuda Grass

Resources

• Bermuda Grass
• Bermuda Grass Lawn Care