MOWING

Interesting Fact: Lawn mowers and other gas-powered lawn care equipment contribute to 10% of the nation’s air pollution, according to the EPA.

• For more durable grass and less weeds, set your lawnmower blades higher. Your grass should typically be about 2 to 3 inches in height. A Caveat: Don’t try to overcompensate if you have been out of town for a while by cutting your lawn down to 2-3 inches all at once. Never cut more than 1/3 of your grass height at once, work gradually down to optimal height to reduce the chances of traumatizing your grass.
  
  
• Keep mower blades sharp! Dull blades tear and damage the grass rather than cut it.
  
  
• Mow at the right time: Early evening is the best time to mow, after the heat of the day but before dew settles. High heat can make for already strained grass, and wet grass will lead to clogged mowers.
  
  
• Keep Clippings, Remove Thatch: When mowing your lawn, do not bag the clippings. Grass clippings are an amazing source of organic material; leave them on your grass so it can fertilize itself. Thatch however, (dead grass and root tissue between the live grass and soil) can block water, sunlight and nutrients from reaching the roots. Make sure to dethatch regularly.
  
  
• Get in contact with your local Cooperative Extension Office to find out the appropriate height of your lawn for your climate.
  
  
• Mulching lawn mowers will “cut down” your mowing time (and mower carbon emissions) considerably since you do not have to bag your clippings.
  If you have smaller grass areas, consider switching to a push-mower. They are modern, lightweight, and environmentally friendly. They are also a great way to burn some extra calories!
  
  
• Electric mowers present a great alternative to gas mowers as they reduce pollution, make less noise, and are less expensive to fuel. Electric mowers also start automatically with the push of a button, how easy is that?

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