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Frequently Asked Questions
We have received many questions over the years, and below are some that we get asked quite often. If you have a question that isn't addressed below, please feel free to contact us. We welcome all questions!
Q: What is the proper height to mow my grass, and is it okay to scalp my grass?
Q: How often should I water my lawn for best results?
Q: I have some large trees in my yard and the grass won't seem to grow, do you have any suggestions?
Q: I'm new to the organic program, and it seems like my weeds are worse than ever this Spring, am I doing something wrong? How can I get rid of all these unsightly weeds?!
Q: What is the proper height to mow my grass, and is it okay to scalp my grass?
A: Although it can be tempting to cut your grass as short as possible in order to avoid weekly cuttings, it can be harmful to the grass, especially in the summer heat. The root system of your grass is directly related to the length of the blade, so cutting your grass at the recommended height is important to keep a healthy root system. It is important to mow regularly, because removing more than 1/3 of the blade can be harmful to the grass.
Cutting too short can also expose the soil to more sunlight, allowing weed seeds to germinate. It is a good idea to start out at the recommended mowing height for your grass in the beginning of the growing season, and then raise it up to 3" during the hottest summer months. This will help keep your grass healthy and avoid that unattractive yellowing.
Recommended Mowing Heights:
- Bermuda grass – 1 ½ inch
- St. Augustine grass – 2 inches
- Zoysia grass – 1 ½ inches
- Buffalo grass – 3 inches
- Perennial Ryegrass – 2 inches
- Tall Fescue – 2 inches
Scalping the lawn is never recommended unless it is prior to overseeding. St. Augustine should never be scalped because it will cause too much damage.
It is also always ideal to mulch your grass clippings. The nitrogen in the clippings will act as a fertilizer, and they will also make the soil healthier preventing more weeds from growing.
Q: How often should I water my lawn for best results?
A: The general rule for watering it to water deeply and infrequently. This helps the grass to grow deeper roots and make it more drought tolerant. For specific watering information please see our watering guide.
Q: I have some large trees in my yard and the grass won't seem to grow, do you have any suggestions?
A: While large trees are beautiful and usually desired by most homeowners, they do come with some costs. One of which is too much shade. St. Augustine grass will grow in shade, but it does still need some light. If it is too shady for even St. Augustine grass to grow you could try having your trees trimmed by a professional arborist. Strategic trimming of even just a few branches every few years can allow enough light in for your grass to start growing again. There is also the option of creating a bed area filled with shade loving plants, like azaleas, around the tree where the grass starts to thin out.
Q: I'm new to the organic program, and it seems like my weeds are worse than ever this Spring, am I doing something wrong? How can I get rid of all these unsightly weeds?!
A: First off, we completely understand your concerns. Not to worry though, the grass will smother out the weeds once it fills in completely.
Applying a compost topdressing in the fall and a corn gluten meal pre-emergent application in late February/early March will help to keep the weeds to a minimum. Usually the first year after switching to an organic program can prove to be trying. You'll be tempted to reach for the chemicals, but try to stay strong, because the second you go back to chemical weed and feeds you loose all the progress you've made and will be back to square one on repairing your soil!
Switching to an organic program can require some initial patience. An imbalanced soil is usually caused by the use of chemical fertilizers over time, and with constant applications the soil is never given a chance to recover. The presence of weeds is an indicator that your soil is trying to recover. Each weed that is in your yard is providing something to your yard, whether it's a certain vitamin or mineral vital to your plants roots, or putting oxygen back into your soil. I know weeds can be a true thorn in your side, but try to remember that they are just nature's defense system. They are there for a reason and when they are no longer needed they will go away. The goal with all organic programs is to bring balance back to your soil and strengthen your grass, once this is accomplished you will get the results you desire without any applications necessary. So it is a more gradual process, but rather than being enslaved to a chemical fertilizer regimen for the rest of your life, the eventual goal is to let the soil take care of itself, because it is a living ecosystem!
