Let’s face it, mowing the lawn isn’t exactly the highlight of summer. But what if we told you that some of the most common mowing habits might actually be doing more harm than good? It’s time to bust some myths and help your lawn thrive through the tail end of summer in Southeast Michigan!
Busted! Disgusted! Never To Be Trusted! Cutting your grass super short might seem like a time-saver, but it’s actually a fast track to a stressed-out, brown, sad little lawn...wah wah wahhhhh.
In Michigan’s hot August weather, scalping your lawn can be a recipe for disaster. Why you ask? Well, scalping your lawn can expose the soil to intense sunlight, dries it out quickly, and invites unwelcome guests like crabgrass to crash the party. Even worse, it creates the perfect conditions for pests like grubs, chinch bugs, and cutworms to invade your once-beautiful landscape.
Here's What To Do: Set your mower blade to 3 to 3.5 inches, or even up to 4 inches, depending on your lawn’s grass type. Most Southeast Michigan lawns feature cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescues, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass—all of which benefit from a higher mowing height. Why? Taller grass acts like natural sunscreen for your soil—keeping it cooler, locking in moisture, and growing deeper, stronger roots. Plus, it gives your lawn that lush, healthy look everyone envies!
Busted! LIES! Not true. You know you can't believe everything you read on the internet now ladies and gentlemen—your lawn deserves better! Waiting too long between mows can lead to uneven cuts, clumpy grass clippings, stressed-out grass, and a thick layer of clippings that smothers your turf instead of feeding it. In short, if you are doing this my friend, your lawn is currently gasping for air.
In Southeast Michigan, especially during August when grass is still actively growing, weekly mowing is the sweet spot to keep things looking fresh and healthy.
Here's The Best Practice: Stick to the one-third rule. That means, never cut more than one-third of the grass blade at a time. Think of it like when you go get your hair cut at the salon, you want to give your lawn a nice gentle trim instead of a buzz cut. This keeps your lawn looking fresh, avoids shocking the grass, and keeps it growing healthy and strong.
Now, if the weather’s blazing hot or your lawn’s growth slows down (thanks, summer droughts), it’s totally fine to stretch your mowing schedule a bit. Just don’t let things get out of hand—this is Michigan not the jungle!
Busted! WRONGO! Who told you that? Timing matters more than you think. As much as we would love to say, "Yeah, go ahead, you can mow whenever you feel like it!" That just simply wouldn't be true. Mowing in the middle of a hot summer afternoon? That’s a surefire way to stress out your lawn and yourself.
It stresses the turf, dries it out faster, and can even cause damage. And mowing when the grass is wet? That’s a soggy mess waiting to happen—clumps, uneven cuts, and a higher chance of lawn disease. YIKES! No thanks!
Here's What The Pros Do: The best time to mow is early morning after the dew has dried, or early evening before it settles. These cooler windows help your lawn recover faster, prevent mower clogs, and give you a clean, even cut without the mess.
Smart timing = less stress, better results, happy grass, and a happier you!
August is a transitional month, your lawn is recovering from summer stress and gearing up for a strong fall finish. Want to keep it looking lush and lively? Here’s how to keep it in tip top shape:
Mowing isn’t just about keeping things tidy and your yard beautiful—it’s a key part of your lawn’s overall health. By ditching outdated myths and following smart mowing practices, you're setting your lawn up for success now and into the fall.
Need a little help keeping your lawn lush, happy, and thriving? Lush Lawn has your back with expert services tailored to Michigan’s unique climate—and even more customized to your specific lawn’s needs. Let’s team up and help you achieve the lawn of your dreams!