Lawn mowing and fertilization
Improper mowing not only leaves a bad-looking lawn, but it’s an invitation to weeds, diseases and other problems. Evenness of cut is essential to good looks. Mowing height and frequency are essential for good health.
Each grass has a height at which it does best. Coarse grasses usually should be cut 1⁄2- 1 1⁄2 inches; Zoysias, 3⁄4 -1 1⁄2 inches; St. Augustine, 2-2 1⁄2 inches; Centipede, 1 1⁄2-2 1⁄2 inches; and Bahia, 2-21⁄2 inches. If lawns are somewhat shady, mow to the higher height. Mowing frequently depends to a large extent on fertility and moisture conditions.
Turf specialists recommend mowing often enough to remove about a half-inch, or no more than one-third of the green leaf surface. All grasses need some fertilizer for good growth, but the amounts they need vary. Bermuda needs the most. Centipedes need the least. If you follow the popular and common practice of using a complete fertilizer (8-8-8, 10-10-10) or one of the special tree turf mixtures for the spring application, you may need to add only nitrogen for the remainder of the summer at four-to-six week intervals.
Recommended rates of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet: Bermuda, 2-3 pounds; Zoysia, St. Augustine, and Behia, 2 pounds; and Centipede 1⁄2-1 pound. It takes about 6 pounds of nitrate of soda or 3 pounds of ammonium nitrate to supply 1 pound of actual nitrogen.