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the turfgrass varieties present in the lawn. and whelher the
<br />lawn is in sun, full shade, or comb -nation of both. Lawns in
<br />full sun have the greatest potential for quick recovery after
<br />mowing and can therefore be cut shorter. Those in the shade
<br />need all the available leaf surface possible for photosynthe-
<br />sis. Thus, grass in the shade should be cut slightly higher than
<br />grass in the sun. Where both conditions are present, an inter.
<br />mediate height is recommended. Some suggested mowing
<br />heights are listed below:
<br />Fine Fescue 1.112 to 2.112 inches
<br />Kentucky bluegrassiperennial ryegrass I to 2 inches
<br />Kentucky bluegrass:
<br />Improved varieties I to 2 inches
<br />Common types f- 112 to 2.112 inches
<br />Kentucky bfuegrassired fescue I - Ii2 to 2.112 inches
<br />Mowing frequency also has a direct impact on the amount of
<br />clippings generated. Mowing frequency depends on the cut-
<br />ting height selected and how fast the tunagrows rather than on
<br />specific time intervals such as once per week, etc. Idea lly, no
<br />more than one third of the leaf surface area should be cut at
<br />any one time and the clippings should be no longer than one
<br />inch. As an example, a lawn with grass three inches tall
<br />shou!d be cut to about two inches. Excessive defoliation in a
<br />single mowing can make the lawn more prone to stress and
<br />disease problems.
<br />Be careful not to over -fertilize your lawn. Excessive fertiliza-
<br />tion (primarily nitrogen) will cause dense growth and unless
<br />the lawn is cut more frequently, the clippings will be slow to
<br />reach the soil and decompose. Reducing excessive thatch
<br />levels through lawn renovation will improve Infiltration of
<br />the grass clippings down to the soil surface. It Is best to mow
<br />your lawn when it is dry so clippings will be able to filter
<br />down to the soil without clumping. For more information or' —)
<br />lawn fertilization and lawn care, contact your local county)
<br />extension office.
<br />Two types of mowers available to homeowners are reel and
<br />rotary. Either will do an acceptable job when sharpened and
<br />adjusted properly. Mower blades should always be kept
<br />sharp. Dull blades can significantly lengthen the recovery
<br />time forregrowth after mowing, and potentially increase vul-
<br />nerability to certain diseases and environmental stresses. Ro-
<br />tary mowers are now available with a mulcher attachment
<br />for the blade. This will reduce the size of the clippings left be.
<br />hind and should result in faster decomposition of the grass
<br />blades. However, if you aremn :"3 un a regular basis and
<br />not removing more than une . u'the grass blades at a
<br />time, additional size rerluction is not necessary.
<br />If grass growth is excessive it may become necessary to re-
<br />move the clippings. In this situation, lawn clippings can be
<br />used in the compost pile as described above or they can be
<br />used as a mulch in thegarden.lf used as a mulch, care should
<br />be taken not toover-apply fresh clippings as they tend to mat
<br />down and reduce water penetration. Mixing fresh clippings
<br />with compost provides an excellent mulching material. Do
<br />not use grass clippings as a mulch if the lawn has recently
<br />been treated with herbicides.
<br />References
<br />I. Reclamation of Municipal Refuse by Composting.1953. University of California, Berkeley. Tech. Bull. No. 9, Series Sanitary Engineering Research Project. 37,
<br />2. Van D±r Puy, D., Characteristics of Herbicides Used in Agronomic Crops. 1985. North Dakota Cooperative Extension
<br />Service Bulletin #W-871.
<br />3. Rodale, J.I. The Complete Book of Composting. 1971. Rodale Books, Inc. Emmaus, PA.
<br />4. Poincelot, R.P. Biochemical and Microbiological Aspects of Composting. 1975. Connecticut Agricultural Experiment
<br />Station Bulletin 754.
<br />5. Schumacher, Nancy, M. DuBois, M. Martindale, C.E. Clapp, J.A.E. Molina. Composition of Yard Waste Composts Pro-
<br />duced at Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Centralized Composting Sites. 1987. Soil Series #124, Department of Soil Sci-
<br />ence, University of Minnesota. St. Paul, MN.
<br />About the Authors
<br />Carl Rosen, Extension Soil Scientist, Minnesota Extension Service; Nancy Schumacher, Assistant Scientist, Department of
<br />Soil Science, University c`Minnesota; Roberthlugaas, Extension Agent, Hennepin County, Minnesota Extension Service;
<br />and Suzanne Proudfoot, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Department of Soil Science, University of Minnesota.
<br />This publication was supported by a grant from the Metropolitan Council, 300 M
<br />Paul, MN s5101. Metro Square, 71h and Robert Street;, St.
<br />Printed on 100% recycled paper.
<br />The informationgiven in thispublication is foreducational putposesonly. Reference locommercialpmduesortradenamm is made with the understanding
<br />that no discrimination is intended and no endonemesn by [hehlinnesota Extension Service is implied.
<br />Issued in furtherance of cooperative extension work in agriculture and home economics, acts of May 8 and lure 30, 014, in coo peration wil
<br />Department of Agriculture, Borich, Dean and Director of Minnesota Extension Service. St. Paul, Minnesota SSI08. The Unn'ry ofMines the
<br />U..
<br />es
<br />including the Minnesota Extension Service, i! committed to the polity [hat all persons shall have equal access to in programs, facilities, and employment
<br />without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, handicap, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation.
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