Freshly laid, gorgeous turf takes the viewer's breath away. To ensure that the velvety green area retains its beauty, professional mowing makes an essential contribution. This is how you cut turf according to all the rules of gardening.
How do you mow turf correctly?
To mow turf properly, cut newly laid lawn after 5 to 8 days, at least once a week from March to September and in autumn after the first frost. The ideal cutting height varies between 35 and 90 mm depending on the type of lawn and should follow the “one third rule”.
Consistency is trump
Immediately after laying turf, you set the course for a permanently deep green and dense carpet. Regular mowing plays a central role in the care program because it creates a stable density of scars on the grass. This improves the resistance of finished turf to any stress and the blades get used to the optimal cutting height. How to handle it correctly:
- Mow newly laid lawn for the first time after 5 to 8 days
- Cut the greens at least once a week from March to September
- In the fall, only stop mowing after the first frost
The only exception applies to the shade lawn, which is content with a mowing rhythm of 10 to 12 days.
The type of lawn defines the ideal cutting height
The rule of thumb for the perfect cutting height of turf is 4 to 5 centimeters. You should never cut finished lawn shorter than 3.5 centimeters. If you want to adjust the cutting height perfectly to the lawn, follow the following guidelines:
- Cut ornamental lawn 40-45 mm short in normal weather, 45-50 mm short when wet
- Short sports and play turf to 35-40 mm for average use
- Do not cut shaded lawns shorter than 70-80 mm and say goodbye to winter with 90 mm
- In very dry summer, add 10-20 mm length to all values
The golden 'one third rule' serves as a practical reminder for the correct cutting of turf. Therefore, you should always set the lawnmower so that it cuts the grass by a maximum of a third. If the optimal cutting height is not reached, a second pass follows.
The 3 top commandments for proper lawn mowing
If the rhythm of mowing the lawn gets out of step while you're on vacation, that's no more a problem than if the lawn is a few millimeters too short or too long. Anyone who ignores the following 3 commandments when cutting lawn will have fatal consequences:
- Never cut turf when it is wet
- Under no circumstances mow a lawn under the blazing midday sun
- Do not treat finished lawns with blunt knives
In addition, if possible, you should not walk on a lawn before mowing, as this results in an irregular cut pattern. Regularly sharpening lawn mower blades will also help ensure the accurate appearance of your green business card.
Tips & Tricks
Mowing the lawn according to the lunar calendar is no longer a myth. Even experienced practitioners swear by it based on years of positive experience. A look at the position of the moon is enough to recognize the right time. When the moon is waning, cut turf just before the sickle reaches its lowest point. The green then grows slower and more densely.
