How Often Should You Actually Mow?
April 22, 2024
One of the most common questions we get: “How often do you mow?” The honest answer is that it depends on the season, the grass type, and how fast your lawn is growing — not on a fixed schedule.
The One-Third Rule
The most important principle in mowing is never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single cut. Removing more than that stresses the plant, reduces its ability to photosynthesize, and can turn your lawn brown even in the middle of summer.
This means the mowing frequency should follow growth, not the calendar.
Spring and Fall: More Often
Cool-season grasses (fescue, bluegrass, ryegrass) grow fastest in spring and fall when temperatures are between 60 and 75°F. During these periods you may need to mow every five to seven days to stay within the one-third rule.
Summer: Back Off
In the heat of summer, cool-season lawns slow down significantly. Mowing every 10 to 14 days may be plenty. If you’re battling drought, consider skipping a mow entirely — a longer lawn blade shades the root zone and helps the plant survive.
Warm-season grasses (Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine) are the opposite: they peak in summer and slow in cooler weather.
What We Do For Your Lawn
Rather than showing up on a rigid schedule, we monitor growth rates across our service routes and adjust timing seasonally. You’ll see us more in spring, potentially less in a dry August, and back to a regular cadence in September.
If your lawn is growing faster than expected and you’d like an extra visit, just reach out — we’re happy to accommodate.
Questions about your mowing schedule? Contact us and we’ll take a look.