Tips and tricks for a perfect lawn: watering and mowing well

In the spring when your lawn begins to turn green, it’s time to start mowing! Here are a few key elements to keep in mind for a lush, disease-resistant lawn:

Mowing tips

1. Mow the lawn in the late afternoon or early evening when it is dry

First cut in the spring: 5 cm
This allows the soil to warm up quickly, which promotes growth.
Spring and fall: 5 to 7 cm
This helps to maintain a lush appearance and maintain healthy growth all season long.
Summer: 8 to 10 cm
Avoid mowing during this period of heatwaves and drought.
Last cut in the fall: 5 cm
Prevents disease from developing during the cold season.

2. Sharpen your blades!

The lawn will regenerate faster and more easily when it is cut clean instead of torn.

3. Leave the grass clippings on the lawn (grasscycling)

As they decompose, the grass clippings provide the soil with important minerals and nutrients. Did you know that 30% of fertilizer requirements can be satisfied with grasscycling? When left on the lawn, the grass clippings are quickly decomposed by the micro-organisms in the soil. As they decompose, the nutrients in the clippings are released into the soil and reabsorbed by the lawn[1].

To avoid:

Grass must never be mowed to less than one-third of its height

Do not spread the grass clippings if:

they are wet;
they contain seedy weeds (this avoids spreading the seeds);
the clippings are more than 0.5 cm thick (otherwise the lawn may choke).

Watering tips

Depending on the year and the region, natural precipitation satisfies 65% to 100% of the lawn’s watering needs. If these needs are not satisfied by rain, you will need to water. Watch for the signs below to determine the appropriate time.

Signs that it’s time to water:

the lawn has stopped growing;
there are footprints on the lawn;
some sections are darker or appear grey or blue.

A few tips:

1.Water thoroughly, but not too often

Apply at least 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water per week, which corresponds to watering for a few hours. You can measure the water quantity by placing a few cans on the lawn (the size of a tuna or pet food can) while watering. Stop watering when the cans are full.

2.Water early in the morning

This helps to minimize water loss through evaporation and wind action.

3.Don’t be alarmed during heatwaves

During extended droughts and heatwaves, your lawn may shrivel, turn brown and become dormant. This is normal – It’s protecting itself! This state allows it to preserve its nutritional resources. After a good watering, your lawn will quickly regain its lush green appearance.

For more tricks and tips and to learn all about spring lawn maintenance, refer to our Lawn Calendar.

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[1] Source (herbicyclage) : https://quebecvert.com/medias/D1.1.19B.pdf
Source (arrosage) : https://quebecvert.com/medias/D1.1.16B.pdf

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Tips and tricks for effectively watering and mowing your lawn this season