For new homeowners, one of the hardest parts of maintaining a new property is often overlooked: lawn care. Specifically, mowing your yard. For many people who have lived in apartments for years or decades, this could be the first time standing behind a lawnmower.
So then, the big question: How often is too often?
"The general rule of mowing is the one-third rule."
Keep an eye on your yard
The answer to this question depends on several variables, including the type of grass, your climate – the Maryland and D.C. area typically means summer is when grass grows the most – and your personal taste.
Thankfully for first-timers, there is one big shortcut to figuring out when to mow: the length of the grass. The general rule is called the "one-third rule" and it states that you should never cut more than one-third of the height of the grass at a time. This is to ensure that your grass remains healthy, year-round. So if you just moved in to your home, don't get too excited and chop the grass down to the ground. This could damage it and turn your yard brown.
Overall, keeping an eye on the length of your grass is the best way to tell if it's time to mow. For most healthy yards in the summer season, you should be mowing about once every week. The time in between mows could be longer for less healthy yards, sometimes even every two-to-three weeks. Either way, watch your grass and decide how long is too long before you just can't take it anymore.
Keep in mind that mowing frequently isn't inherently bad for your grass, as long as your mower blades are sharp and you're cutting off a tiny bit at a time. The problems arise when using poorly maintained equipment and taking off too much at once. The good news is after a few mowing sessions, you'll figure out the right schedule for your specific yard!