Yesterday I received this slightly humorous, somewhat agonizing letter from a SafeLawns reader: “Someone in the family (I won’t say who) cut our combination new and old lawn with a very dull blade (electric mower) and not only did it once but twice on the same day! The 2nd time because the 1st time didn’t work so well! Our problem is that within a couple days the grass began to turn yellow down to the roots. Now we know why but we don’t know what to do about it. After all that work last fall I feel sick and panicky. I hope you can help us out with some advice as to how to undo the damage. Also, I’ve been reading about compost tea. We don’t have a compost pile. Is it ok to use Coast of Maine compost or compost and peat mixture? I truly appreciate any help you can give us. I should probably let you know that except for once last fall (weed killer) we’ve always used organic products on the lawn. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Metheny
Well, Jennifer,
As you now probably know, your not-to-be-named lawnman essentially “hayed” the lawn by cutting too much of the grass at once — and then doing it again in the same day. I say “hayed” because that yellow-brown look of your lawn is how fields look after they’ve been cut to the ground.
Now, the good news is that grass is the most resilient plant on the planet and, most likely, it will grow back and be fine. What your we-can’t-name-him now lawnman has done, however, is opened up the lawn to pressure from all three: 1) weeds, 2) insects and 3) disease. So tell him not to do it again!
Cutting too much of the grass plant at any one time shocks the plant and it temporarily shuts down. The rule is to never cut more than one third of the grass blade at any one time. If the lawn does get too tall (like mine right now due to all the rain in Maine), it should be brought down to regular height in stages — say from 6 to 4 inches on one cutting. Then give the lawn a two or three-day rest before cutting it back to 3 inches.
You can give your lawn a dose of low nitrogen organic fertilizer right now, along with a drink of compost tea. There is a video on the SafeLawns.org web site about how to make this tea yourself. Coast of Maine Organics is a fine brand of compost made here in the Northeast; locally made compost should always be used if possible.
Folks should also water lawns that have been cut like this, but if you’re in Massachusetts, you probably got enough rain lately.
Best of luck.
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:28 pm
I have experienced this same problem. Thanks for the tip on how to handle. My only question is what type of mower do you have that has a cutting height of 6″? I have my mower raised to its max and it is only 3 1/2. I am looking at getting a cordless electric, so any suggestions would be appreciated.
July 5th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Jackie,
The standard highest setting for many mowers is 3.5 to 4 inches. If I need to cut my lawn higher than that, I will set the mower on its highest setting and then lift the front tires as I mow. It’s important to make sure no one else is around when you do this, because the mower can throw debris long distances. This technique is certainly not recommended in any owners’ safety manual, but in extreme circumstances, it does work well.
Of course, another way to cut really tall grass is through the use of a scythe. I still have my grandfather’s, which works fine at about age 70. Never use one of these? It’s the greatest ab workout on the planet.
July 6th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Hi Paul!
I too have this “hay” look in some parts of my yard. The thing is I have my mover set very high so I’m not cutting it too short or more than one third at a time. Its in an area that sees the most sun. I live near Boston so the lawn has had plenty of water recently. I am going to sharpen the blades but I don’t think that is the problem since 3/4 of my lawn doesn’t have this problem. Could it be grubs? the grass isn’t coming up easily so I don’t think its that.
Thanks,
Jerry
Rockland, MA
July 7th, 2009 at 7:34 am
Jerry,
When you say “hay” look, I’m not sure what that might mean. It could be that you have a different species of grass in certain areas, such as field grass or quack grass? Do the blades of the grass look wider than the others?
July 9th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Paul,
The grass in that area is the same color as hay. I will have to check the blades in the area but I don’t think they are any different than in other areas.