· Ortiz Landscaping & Tree Services
Most lawns in central New Jersey are cool-season grasses: tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass, often blended. These grasses grow hardest in spring and fall and slow down in the heat of July and August. The single setting that affects them most is the height of the mower deck.
Taller grass, deeper roots
A grass blade is the plant's solar panel. Leave more of it and the plant makes more food, which it sends to the roots. A lawn cut at around three to four inches usually roots deeper than one scalped to an inch and a half, and deeper roots mean better drought tolerance in summer. Taller grass also shades the soil surface, which keeps it cooler and makes it harder for crabgrass seed to germinate.
The one-third rule
Never remove more than about a third of the blade in a single cut. If the lawn is at six inches after a wet week, bring it down in two passes a few days apart rather than all at once. Cutting off too much at once stresses the plant, leaves brown, stubby tips and slows recovery.
Adjusting through the season
- Spring: growth is fast, so mowing every five to seven days is common. Keep the height up.
- Summer: raise the deck to the top of the range and mow less often. Avoid mowing a drought-stressed lawn in the afternoon heat.
- Fall: keep mowing as long as the grass grows. A final cut slightly lower than usual helps prevent matting under leaves and snow.
Sharp blades matter
A dull blade tears grass instead of slicing it. Torn tips turn tan within a day or two and give disease an easy way in. If your lawn looks grey or frayed a day after mowing, the blade probably needs sharpening.
When to hand it off
Consistent height and timing are easier to keep when someone else owns the schedule. Our grass cutting and trimming visits cover mowing, line trimming around trees, fences and posts, edging along walks and driveways, and a clean-up of clippings. For a fuller program, see our lawn maintenance. Based in Princeton, we serve homes and businesses across New Jersey; call (609) 454-7355 or request a free quote.