If the homeowner in you is envious of the
patterned turf at Turner
Field, why not give your own lawn the patterned look?
University
of Georgia scientists say it’s easy. Just mow your lawn in a crisscross pattern rather
than in standard rows.
"Crisscross mowing is a fad that really took off after the World Cup Soccer
Championships in the United States," said Gil
Landry, a turf management scientist with the UGA College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
"People saw the patterned turf on television while watching the soccer
games," he said. "And now you see patterned turf everywhere — on baseball
fields, football fields and golf courses."
Aside from the aesthetically pleasing look, Landry said, crisscross mowing will prevent
lawn mower tracks on your lawn.
"Proper mowing involves mowing in different directions to prevent compaction from
mowing in the same tracks every time," he said.
Mowing lawns is a task most homeowners do often. But few do it right.
"Proper mowing has a significant effect on the appearance and performance of your
turf," Landry said. "The most important rule is to mow often enough to remove no
more than one-third of the grass’s leaves. If you remove more than that, you’ll slow the
plant’s growth and vigor."
Landry said most people mow on a schedule of once a week or once every 10 days. But
they should base their mowing on the lawn’s conditions.
"In drier periods, grass will grow less. And in wetter times, it will grow
more," he said. "Also, if you fertilize, your grass will grow faster and you’ll
have to mow more often."
If you like your grass to be two inches high, mow when it’s three inches high.
"Don’t wait until it has grown to four inches," Landry said. "This cuts off
too much of the plant’s leaf, which is its source of food."
Mowing too often can also bring unwanted guests into your lawn. "If your grass is
stressed, it can’t compete well against weeds," he said. "Grass cut too short
opens the canopy, which promotes weed growth."
Landry said another key to a well-manicured lawn is a sharp mower blade. "A sharp
blade produces an even cut and a better look," he said. "A dull blade will shred
the leaf tips and results in 20 percent more fuel costs because the dull mower blade is
less efficient."
