Essential Lawn Care Tips For Missouri

When it comes to maintaining lush, green lawns, Missouri homeowners face unique challenges. With our region’s hot summers, cold winters, and unpredictable rain, it’s crucial to adapt your lawn care and gardening routine to handle these conditions.

Summers can be scorching, with temperatures often exceeding 90°F. This stress can damage your lawn if not properly managed. Winters bring freezing temperatures and snow, which can damage grass that isn’t healthy and established. Additionally, spring and fall often come with heavy rains and storms, leading to flooding and soil erosion. Proper mowing and watering are key to maintaining lawn health and keeping your lawn looking its best year-round.

Proper Mowing

Mowing isn't just about cutting grass; it's about maintaining the overall health of your lawn. Proper mowing practices can prevent weeds, pests, and diseases, and ensure that your lawn remains dense and resilient. Grass type, mowing height, and frequency all play crucial roles in achieving a beautiful lawn.

Grass Height

Mowing at the right height helps grass develop deeper roots, improving drought resistance and nutrient absorption. This promotes thicker growth, which can crowd out weeds and create a more resilient lawn. Cutting grass too short can stress the turf, making it more susceptible to drought and disease. Allowing grass to grow too tall can lead to thatch buildup and reduce the lawn's overall quality.

Grass Variety

Grass types have different optimal mowing heights. Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue should be kept at 2.5 to 4 inches, zoysia is best between 1 to 2.5 inches, and bermuda grass thrives at 1 to 1.5 inches. Many lawns use a combination of different grass varieties to achieve the best turf. Weather conditions, irrigation, shaded vs sunny locations, and soil conditions also affect best mowing height.

One Third Rule

A key principle in mowing is the one-third rule. Cut no more than one-third of the grass blade length at a time. This helps prevent stress and encourages healthy growth. This ensures your lawn remains undamaged from improper mowing. You can adjust deck height until you find which cut length produces your lawn’s best results and appearance.

Mowing Frequency

The frequency of mowing depends on the growth rate of your grass, which is influenced by the season and weather conditions. During the peak growing season in spring and early summer, you may need to mow your lawn every week. It is best to allow grass at least 2-4 days for rest and recovery between each mowing. In slower growth periods, like summer, mowing every two weeks might suffice.

Cutting too Low

Over-mowing can cause your lawn to become thin and weak, making it more susceptible to weeds and disease. Signs of cutting too low or too frequently includes appearance of scalped areas, brown patches, and slow growth. If you notice these signs, allow your grass to grow longer and follow the one-third rule more strictly.

Under-Mowing

Under-mowing can lead to thatch buildup and make your lawn look unkempt. Signs of under-mowing include excessive clippings, uneven growth, and the presence of weeds. Increase your mowing frequency and maintain the optimal height for your grass type to address these issues.

Watering Schedule and Best Practices

A regular watering schedule tailored to your lawn's needs is crucial. Adopting best practices can ensure your lawn gets the right amount of water without waste. Watering needs depend on grass type, soil, and can vary for each lawn. Different parts of the same lawn can have different requirements. Sandy, sunny, quick draining soils, and hilltops often require more frequent watering. Clay soils, shaded areas, and low spots retain water longer and can become compacted, leading to poor root growth, and may require better drainage.

Best Time to Water

Always aim to water early in the morning. The best time is around sunrise and well before noon, between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. Watering early minimizes evaporation and allows grass to absorb moisture before the heat of the day. Watering at night can lead to prolonged moisture on grass blades, increasing the risk of fungal diseases. If watering is overdue, then the best time to water may be as soon as you can. Schedules can get hectic and irrigation equipment can fail, so an evening watering is sometimes better than not watering. Plan to make morning watering the habit.

Weekly Water Requirements

Most lawns benefit from +1.5 inches of water per week, including rainfall. More drought-tolerant lawns need only .5 to 1 inch. In most cases deep watering once or twice a week is more effective than more frequent and shallow watering. Watering deeply and infrequently encourages grass roots to grow deeper, making your lawn more drought-tolerant. Shallow, frequent watering promotes shallow roots, increases vulnerability to dry conditions, and can encourage fungal disease. Determine what is best for your lawn by looking for signs of over- and under-watering.

Signs of Over-Watering

Over-watering can lead to shallow root growth, disease, and weed problems. Signs include waterlogged soil, soft ground, spots of grass that can easily be disrupted with a kick or a stomp, an abundance of thatch, and the presence of fungal diseases like mold or mildew. If you notice these signs, reduce your watering frequency.

Signs of Under-Watering

Under-watering can cause your lawn to become dry, brittle, and discolored. Footprints that remain visible long after walking on crunchy grass can indicate extreme drought stress. Increase your watering frequency and ensure deep soil watering before symptoms of under-watering appear.

Equipment Maintenance and Mowing Techniques

The right equipment and mowing techniques can significantly improve the appearance of your lawn.

Sharpen Mower Blades

Properly sharpened mower blades make clean cuts, reducing the risk of disease and promoting healthy grass growth. Dull blades tear the grass, leaving jagged edges that can turn brown and make the lawn more susceptible to pests and diseases. Sharpen your mower blades at least twice a season, or more frequently if you notice uneven cuts. Professional lawn care companies need to sharpen blades at least once per week during busy season.

Bagging vs Mulching

Grasscycling is a word I just discovered online. It simply means leaving mulched grass clippings on the lawn. They compost and this can reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizer a lawn requires. Mulching mowers work well for many lawns that get mowed frequently. You may have thought that was boring, but now someone gave it a new flash name.

Bagging with the right system can leave the most finished look. This is especially useful in the spring and fall for leaf cleanup projects. Leaf and tree debris can make a well mowed lawn look unfinished if mulched and spread over the lawn.  Bagging is also recommended for lawn areas that are going to be used for outdoor activities or when perfectly maintained curb appeal is a priority. Yard waste can be composted on site or hauled away for composting at a remote site.

Varying Mowing Patterns

Mowing in alternating paths and patterns can promote even grass growth and more evenly spread compaction from foot and equipment traffic. Sometimes obstacles like hills, fences, garden beds, landscaping projects, and trees can make this difficult in some areas. Introducing even a small variance in the path and pattern can help. This practice encourages more upright growth and helps prevent ruts from forming in your lawn.

Adjusting Mowing Practices for Different Seasons

Adapt your mowing practices to the season to maintain your lawn's health throughout the year.

Spring

As the grass begins to grow vigorously, cut frequently and gradually lower your mower height to the optimal level for your grass type. Mow often to keep up with rapid growth, and be sure to sharpen your mower blades.

As temperatures rise, gradually increase your watering frequency if necessary. Pay attention to spring rains and adjust your schedule to avoid over-watering. This is also a good time to test and repair your irrigation system.

Rainy Stormy Seasons

Heavy rains can cause soil erosion, damaging your lawn. After a storm, prompt care can help your lawn recover. Remove debris, reseed bare spots, and address any water damage immediately. Aerate your lawn to mitigate soil compaction and improve water infiltration. Good drainage prevents waterlogging and soil erosion. Look for pooling water after rains and consider solutions like grading your lawn, installing drainage pipes, or using landscaping to divert excess water.

Summer

During the hot, dry summer months, raise your mowing height slightly to provide shade for the soil and reduce water evaporation. Mow less frequently, and avoid mowing during the hottest part of the day to prevent stressing the grass.

Your lawn will need more frequent watering. Water thoroughly at least twice a week to encourage deep root growth. Monitor your lawn for signs of drought stress, such as wilting or discoloration, and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

Fall

In the fall, gradually lower your mowing height again and consider bagging to prepare your lawn for winter. This helps prevent mold and disease that can develop especially on dead debris under snow cover. Continue mowing as needed until the grass stops growing.

Reduce watering frequency as temperatures cool and grass growth slows. This is also a good time to aerate your lawn.

Winter

In winter, your lawn will go dormant and require little to no mowing. Give your lawn its final mow in late fall, setting the mower height slightly higher to protect the grass from frost. Leaving the grass a bit longer, around 2.5 to 3 inches, helps it better endure cold temperatures. Additionally, remove leaves, branches, and other debris to prevent mold and disease. Take the off-season time to service your mower, sharpen the blades, and change the oil, so it’s ready for the next growing season.

Lawns typically go dormant and require minimal watering. However, if there are extended dry periods without precipitation, an occasional watering on a warm day can help prevent dehydration, especially for newly established lawns.

Hiring Professional Lawn Care Services

Professionals can provide regular mowing, as well as additional services like bush trimming, leaf cleanup, and small tree trimming and removal. Look for reputable local companies with good reviews, and ask about their experience with lawns in Missouri. This can save you time and ensure that your lawn receives expert care. Regular professional maintenance can lead to a healthier, more attractive lawn. There are several companies that provide lawn mowing and leaf cleanup services. You likely have many options in your area. Consider companies that are local, have insurance, and who make communication and payment easy.